The Detroit Lions reminded everyone just how dangerous they can be on offense, dominating the Washington Commanders with a complete performance. Behind a standout effort from Jahmyr Gibbs and a stellar offensive line, the Lions cruised to a 40-plus-point victory, their second such blowout of the sea
The Detroit Lions put on a show in their dominant 40-plus point victory over the Washington Commanders, reminding fans how exciting it is to watch this offense click on all cylinders. From explosive plays to gritty performances in the trenches, the Lions were firing on all fronts.
One of the game’s standout moments was Jahmyr Gibbs’ 43-yard touchdown run, a play that displayed his elite speed and vision. Jameson Williams also added a 41-yard catch to his highlight reel, continuing his rise as a key weapon in Detroit’s passing game. Meanwhile, Brian Branch had a breakout day on defense, registering 1.5 sacks, including a beautiful spin move that left Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota no chance to escape.
But perhaps the most overlooked aspect of the win, was the Lions’ offensive line. Even without starting left guard Christian Mahogany, Detroit’s front five played one of their best games of the season.
Kayode Awosika, who stepped in for Mahogany, played a solid 70 snaps, finishing with a 73.6 offensive grade. Tate Ratledge, the rookie right guard, also turned in one of his best performances, earning a 73.7 grade. Together, the two helped keep Jared Goff upright and created plenty of space for the running backs.
The real highlight of the line, though, was Penei Sewell. After being rolled up on early in the game, Sewell briefly left the field but quickly returned after being taped up, continuing to dominate in the trenches. He earned an 83.3 grade, showing why he’s the league’s premier tackle.
Graham Glasgow had his best game of the season, finishing with a 78.0 grade, and while he took a few hits, he’s expected to be good to go for next week. Veteran Taylor Decker didn’t have his sharpest performance, finishing with a 66.4 grade on 61 blocking assignments, but it wasn’t a poor outing by any means.
As a unit, the offensive line put up its best grade of the season, 92.7. The Lions’ passing grade of 90.1 was also a season high, and their run-blocking grade of 81.8 was the second-best of the year. The line’s performance was a key factor in the offense’s success, as Jared Goff threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns while not being sacked once. Meanwhile, Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 213 rushing yards and two touchdowns, with the offensive line paving the way for every yard gained on the ground.
While the offensive line’s effort was instrumental in the win, the Lions did benefit from poor mistakes and penalties by the Commanders, as defensive tackle Daron Payne was ejected in the second quarter after taking a swing at wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. The ejection seemed to energize Detroit’s offensive line, which continued to push the Commanders off the ball.
Adding a bit of trickery, head coach Dan Campbell used Dan Skipper, an offensive lineman, as a wide receiver on one play, although Goff didn’t look his way. The move showed just how creative Campbell can get in keeping defenses on their toes.
Looking ahead to next week, the Lions will need another stellar performance from their offensive line when they face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football. The Eagles feature one of the best defensive lines in the league, with standout players like Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and newly acquired pass rusher Jaelan Phillips.
If the Lions’ offensive line can replicate its Week 10 performance against a tough Eagles front, Detroit could make a big statement on the national stage. After all, Dan Campbell has earned the nickname “Prime Time King” with a 13-3 record in night games, and he’ll be looking to add another win under the lights.