Masterful Scheming and Explosive Playmaking: Grading Drew Petzing’s Lions Offense After Week Five

Through five weeks of the 2026 NFL season, the Detroit Lions sit at 3-2 heading into their bye week, anchored by a vibrant and versatile offensive unit under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Taking over the play-calling duties in Motown this season, Petzing was tasked with keeping Detroit’s high-powered engine running while introducing fresh, creative design to maximize an elite array of weapons.

Coming off an emphatic 45-21 statement victory over Petzing’s former team, the Arizona Cardinals, in Week five, the Lions’ offensive performance earns a solid A- grade heading into the early-season break.

The Report Card: Group-by-Group Performance

Quarterback: Jared Goff

Jared Goff has embraced Petzing’s system seamlessly. Operating with high-level efficiency, Goff has distributed the football with precision, keeping opposing secondaries guessing with varied play-action concepts. His Week five outing against Arizona, throwing for 271 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions, highlighted his mastery of Petzing’s scheme when given standard protection inside the pocket.

Running Backs: Jahmyr Gibbs & The Ground Attack

Petzing’s run-first pedigree has paid massive dividends for Detroit's backfield. Jahmyr Gibbs continues to be a dynamic multi-phase weapon, breaking off explosive gains both on outside zone plays and as a receiver out of the backfield. Capping off the first five games with a brilliant 151-yard, two-touchdown rushing performance in Arizona, Gibbs and the offensive line have given Detroit a dependable physical identity on the ground.

Pass Catchers: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta & Jameson Williams

Petzing has done a fantastic job utilizing the full depth of Detroit's receiving talent. Amon-Ra St. Brown remains the chain-moving anchor in the short-to-intermediate game, while tight end Sam LaPorta and wideout Jameson Williams have surfaced as lethal red-zone and situational threats. Highlighted by two touchdown grabs from Williams and a key fourth-down score from LaPorta in Week five, the versatility of this pass-catching unit keeps defensive coordinators on their heels.

Why An A- Grade?

Detroit’s offensive potential is undeniable. The Lions have already broken the 30-point threshold in three of their five games, culminating in a season-high 45-point outburst in Week five. Furthermore, Petzing’s unit has maintained Dan Campbell’s signature aggressiveness on fourth downs, going a perfect 4-for-4 on fourth-down conversions against Arizona.

The reason for the minus sign attached to the A- grade comes down to brief moments of road inconsistency and protection lapses. Stalled drives in tight road contests showed that while Petzing's scheme is potent, execution can still sharpen as the players fully master the new playbook over the course of a 17-game slate.

Midseason Outlook

With a 3-2 record and momentum firmly on their side following a statement week, Drew Petzing’s transition to Detroit has been an undeniable success. If the Lions can clean up small situational mistakes coming out of the bye, this A- unit has all the firepower necessary to push for an A+ standard by the time the postseason arrives.