The Thanksgiving vibes didn’t last long for Detroit. After a 31–24 loss to the Green Bay Packers, the latest PFF grades and snap counts paint a clear picture: the Lions took a noticeable step backward on both sides of the ball. And with the playoff race tightening, this was one of the worst weeks to regress.
Offensively, Detroit struggled to stay consistent. The protection issues resurfaced, rushing lanes closed quickly, and Detroit’s most reliable playmakers were held in check. Several offensive linemen posted their lowest pass-protection grades of the season, while key skill players saw their efficiency dip. Even the snap distribution reflected desperation — Detroit kept rotating personnel, searching for answers that never came.
Defensively, the problems were just as frustrating. Missed tackles, soft zone coverage, and inconsistent pass rush allowed Green Bay to move the ball almost at will. The edge rushers logged high snap counts but produced limited pressure, while the secondary had trouble containing the Packers’ receivers for four straight quarters. PFF hit nearly every defensive unit with below-average marks.
Special teams didn’t escape criticism either, with breakdowns in blocking and inconsistent returns adding to the rough afternoon.
For a team that prides itself on toughness and identity, the tape and the numbers both told the same story: Detroit got beat at the line of scrimmage, beat in situational football, and beat in execution.
The Lions now sit at a crossroads. With the playoff margin shrinking and several tough matchups ahead, they can’t afford another week of regression. Fixing the fundamentals — blocking, tackling, assignments — will determine whether this team rebounds or fades down the stretch.
Detroit has been resilient before. Now they’ll need that fight more than ever.
PFF Numbers Don’t Lie: Detroit Takes a Big Step Back Against Green Bay
