Grading Each Detroit Lions Unit vs. Minnesota Vikings

By Brian Kalchik

Grading Each Detroit Lions Unit vs. Minnesota Vikings

Matt Prater Lions — After two straight blowouts, the Detroit Lions had to sweat one out yesterday against the Minnesota Vikings, winning 16-14. Minnesota took a 14-0 lead before Detroit bounced back with 16 unanswered. Here are the grades for each Lions' positional unit against the Vikings.

Quarterback

Matthew Stafford Lions

Quarterback

Matthew Stafford Lions — Matthew Stafford wasn't as effective as the previous two games, but made enough plays to give Detroit their 10th win of the season. Stafford completed 17-of-28 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown, but didn't take any shots down the field against Minnesota's inconsistent secondary.

Grade: B-

Running Backs

Joique Bell Lions

Running Backs

Joique Bell Lions — Detroit's backfield was once again handled by Joique Bell, with Reggie Bush and Theo Riddick contributing minimally. Bell carried the ball 16 times for 62 yards and caught four balls for 41 yards. Bush and Riddick combined for 22 yards on six touches.

Grade: C+

Wide Receivers, Tight Ends

Calvin Johnson Lions

Wide Receivers, Tight Ends

Calvin Johnson Lions — As mentioned earlier, the passing game didn't produce much, so it's hard to grade the receivers without many significant opportunities to make plays. Calvin Johnson led the way with four receptions for 53 yards, and Golden Tate caught seven passes, but only for 38 yards and a touchdown. Eric Ebron was the only other receiver with a catch, with one for 11 yards.

Grade: C

Offensive Line

Dominic Raiola Lions

Offensive Line

Dominic Raiola Lions — Detroit's offensive line did not give up a sack against the Vikings, but the Vikings were able to constantly pressure Stafford in the pocket. In the running game, the offensive line didn't do much.

Grade: C

Defensive Line

Ezekiel Ansah Lions

Defensive Line

Ezekiel Ansah Lions — Detroit's defensive line was dominated early on by the Vikings, but after the second quarter, it was all Detroit. The Lions' front four sacked Teddy Bridgewater four times, and did not allow a point in the second half. Ndamukong Suh, Devin Taylor, Jason Jones and George Johnson all recorded sacks, with Jones adding a blocked field goal as well.

Grade: B+

Linebackers

Tahir Whitehead Lions

Linebackers

Tahir Whitehead Lions — DeAndre Levy led the linebackers once again and had another solid performance. The former Wisconsin Badger recorded 11 tackles, including one for a loss, while Tahir Whitehead recorded 10 tackles.

Grade: B

Secondary

Rashean Mathis Lions

Secondary

Rashean Mathis Lions — Minnesota made enough big plays against Detroit's secondary to take an early lead, but the back four responded, especially in the second quarter. Down 14-0, Glover Quin and Darius Slay each had interceptions that put Detroit back into the game. Quin had three tackles, Slay had five tackles and Rashean Mathis added six tackles.

Grade: B

Special Teams

Matt Prater Lions

Special Teams

Matt Prater Lions — Detroit's kicking game is getting better and better, but the coverage units are starting to show signs of weakness. Matt Prater made all three of his field goal attempts, and Sam Martin average 44.3 yards per punt. However, the coverage units allowed Marcus Sherels to average 18.5 yards per pun return, and Cordarrelle Patterson had a long kickoff return.

Grade: B

Brian Kalchik is a Detroit Lions writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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