In the latter two quarters of the Detroit Lions’ Week 10 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, defense was conspicuously absent.
The last six possessions of the game concluded with points, including five touchdowns. The other offense would respond with a counterpunch for each punch that was delivered.
Ultimately, the Lions prevailed 41–38 at SoFi Stadium after holding off a Chargers comeback. With time running down, Riley Patterson made a 41-yard field goal to put Detroit at 7-2 for the year.
These are the stars and failures from the game on Sunday.
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, STUD
For the USC product, Sunday was yet another outstanding day. In addition to finishing with eight receptions for a career-high 156 receiving yards, he also scored a touchdown for the first time since Week 6.
With four straight 100-yard games under his belt, St. Brown now has six for the season. In two carries, he gained nine yards, adding to his on-field contribution.
After Los Angeles had rallied to tie the game, the third-year wide out found the end zone to give Detroit the lead in the third quarter.
Exam: RB Montgomery, David
After sitting out the previous two games, Montgomery made a spectacular comeback on Sunday. The seasoned running back assisted in establishing the offensive tone in the opening two quarters, even though the Lions relied mostly on their passing game in the second half.
Montgomery’s 12-carry total of 116 yards included a second-quarter touchdown burst of 75 yards. He broke the run to the outside and got a crucial block from Jameson Williams to complete the touchdown after busting through the line and dodging tacklers.
CB Cameron Sutton is DUD.
When Keenan Allen was having a field day, the Lions’ secondary was struggling. In the week before the game, the Lions stressed how crucial it was to slow down the gifted wideout, but the strategy was poorly carried out.
Sutton was called for two pass-interference penalties, one of which occurred on a fourth-and-goal in the end zone during the fourth quarter. Jerry Jacobs, his opponent, struggled as well and was called for pass interference.
In the fourth quarter, Allen scored the game-tying touchdown after Sutton was tricked by a run fake and Jacobs was beaten for one touchdown pass.
Sutton and Jacobs each got a turn with Allen, but the Lions were at a loss for words. Justin Herbert also has score ties to Jalen Guyton and Quentin Johnston.
S Tracy Walker, DUD
There were issues with the safety posture as well. Walker, who is usually dependable, sometimes found it difficult to keep up with his tasks.
Following Herbert’s touchdown pass to Guyton, Walker swung right past the open receiver. Guyton was open for the touchdown after Kerby Joseph rotated late in the play.
Joseph had his own struggles, but he also gave the defense’s best play of the day. He produced an outstanding diving catch close to the sideline to capture his second interception in as many games.
Exam: RB Jackson Gibbs
Regarding Gibbs’ potential involvement, there were uncertainties upon Montgomery’s return. These were swiftly dispelled as the youngster scored two touchdowns and led the club in carries with 14.
His efforts as a receiver and on the ground combined for 112 yards, demonstrating his excellent dual skill set. Early in his career, he added another aspect to his game by punching in two touchdowns close to the goal line.
DE: DUD Harris, Charles
Once again, the Lions’ pass rush was ineffective against Herbert and the Chargers, failing to produce a sack. The season has seen ups and downs in the effort since the sacks have either arrived in large quantities or none at all.
Sunday was one of those days. Aidan Hutchinson was the only player on the team to register a hurry during the pass rush—he had three.
Harris had trouble applying pressure. Although the play was neutralized by an intentional grounding, Julian Okwara was also fined for hands to the face. All in all, the pass rush had a forgettable day.
QB Jared Goff, STUD
Goff led the Detroit Lions to two consecutive touchdown drives in the second half to hold off the Chargers on Sunday. Goff was dependable when the club needed him to be. With two touchdowns and 333 yards via the air, he concluded.
He was almost faultless, eschewing the mistakes that have plagued him all season.
In the fourth quarter, the veteran completed two crucial passes that helped Detroit run out the clock: a 25-yard touchdown pass to Brock Wright and a fourth-down, six-yard pass to Sam LaPorta.
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