DETROIT — Here’s who (and what) we think stood out, either positively or negatively, in the Detroit Lions’ 17-13 win over the Washington Commanders on Aug. 22 at Ford Field.
Stock up: Pass rush
Where else would we start? The Lions kept most of their first-team defense on the field through the first two quarters, and a number of defensive linemen took advantage of the extra opportunities. Rookie defensive end Derrick Moore dipped and ripped around offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere to record a strip-sack; fellow defensive end D.J. Wonnum beat John Bates, one of the NFL’s top blocking tight ends, to sack quarterback Jayden Daniels on his second snap; and defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard was a menace throughout, constantly creating pressure from the interior to disrupt Washington’s offense. Moore, Wonnum and Gill-Howard each recorded a QB hit, as did defensive ends Ahmed Hassanein and Eric O’Neill, and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez.
Stock down: Pass protection
Conversely, the Lions often struggled to protect their own quarterbacks, particularly the second-team offense. Rookie quarterback Luke Altmyer, who did not see any reps behind the first-team offensive line, was sacked three times on his first drive; defensive end T.J. Maguranyanga evaded offensive tackle Colby Sorsdal, outside linebacker Javontae Jean-Baptiste got around tight end Tyler Conklin, and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II forced the Lions into a punt after he lost center Seth McLaughlin on his way to Altmyer, grabbing his first of two sacks.
This is all without mentioning the game’s first play from scrimmage, which featured former Lions cornerback Amik Robertson lighting up Dobbs to force a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. Dobbs never saw Robertson coming. The QB was chased into the blitzing CB by outside linebacker Joshua Josephs, who swiftly beat offensive tackle Larry Borom.
Stock up: DB Avonte Maddox
Credit to Maddox for helping out on Wonnum’s sack, as he nicely held contain to keep Daniels from breaking the pocket, allowing Wonnum to finish the play. He also was all over a screen pass to former Lions running back Craig Reynolds, who was upended by Maddox for a loss of 5 yards. Maddox nicely used his speed to slip by guard Matt Gulbin.
Stock down: CB Keith Abney II
Penalties were an issue for Abney in college (he was whistled for an infraction 13 times over his last two seasons at Arizona State), and we saw the rookie get flagged for defensive holding in the first quarter against the Commanders, wiping out a sack split between Wonnum and Gill-Howard. Abney was almost penalized for defensive pass interference, as well, but officials elected to pick up the flag after wide receiver Jaden Bradley held on for a gain of 30 yards. Facing a third-and-10 early in the second half, the Commanders turned to wide receiver Antonio Williams, who outdueled Abney for a 21-yard catch over the middle.
Stock up: RB Trayveon Williams
With Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco and Sione Vaki each not playing, Williams, signed by the Lions on Aug. 16, stood out in a good way, averaging 5.5 yards per touch. Williams also scored what proved to be the difference-making touchdown (a 1-yard rush in the third quarter), and he got that scoring drive started by taking a screen pass 24 yards. Credit to guards Melvin Priestly and Mason Miller, along with center Michael Niese, for getting out on the screen to block for Williams.
Stock neutral: QB Josh Dobbs
Things couldn’t have started much worse for Dobbs, who followed up his sack-fumble with an ill-advised throw over the middle that was intercepted by Commanders safety Quan Martin. To his credit, Dobbs settled down, completing six of his final nine throws for 83 yards. Of course, Dobbs also had one of the game’s best highlights, perfectly executing a read option to bait safety Will Harris into being out of position. Dobbs took advantage of Harris’ miscue and ran for a 50-yard touchdown.
Stock Up: TE Jackson Meeks
Three of Meeks’ four receptions came on one drive, and his last catch was a fourth-down conversion in the fourth quarter, allowing the Lions to drain more clock. Altmyer escaped the pocket on the play, and Meeks nicely altered his route to find open space and give his quarterback an outlet. Meeks later all but sealed Detroit’s win by forcing a fumble on a kickoff return, which was recovered by linebacker Erick Hunter.
Quick hits
WR Tay Martin: Martin laid a critical block to spring Dobbs’ 50-yard touchdown, sealing cornerback Rasul Douglas as Dobbs dashed behind him. Martin, who saw work with the first-team offense and is pushing for a spot on Detroit’s 53-man roster, finished with one catch for 11 yards. Dobbs nearly found Martin with an impressive throw through pressure on third down in the third quarter, but Martin dropped the ball with space to run.
LB Devin White: White didn’t finish with gaudy numbers (three tackles), but he was effective as a blitzer, consistently rushing from the second level and affecting throws.
rsilva@detroitnews.com
@rich_silva18
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Stock Watch: Multiple defenders, Meeks shine in win over Washington
Reporting by Richard Silva, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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By Richard Silva, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
