The Detroit Lions aren’t just the best team in football. They’re arguably one of the best teams in the last 45 years.
With all due respect to Detroit Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp, I want to talk about DVOA for a second here. While Fipp may not give credence to the advanced statistic, I do hold it in high regard as one of the most in-depth and revealing statistics out there. In short, it measures the efficiency of every play while taking into account factors like time left in the game, down and distance, score differential, and the thing that makes it so unique is that it adjusts based on the strength of your opponent.
For several weeks now, the Lions have had the top DVOA in football, which is probably not a surprise. What may be at least a little surprising is that now every single unit ranks in the top-10 after Week 11. Here’s where each unit ranks by DVOA:
- Lions pass offense: ninth
- Lions run offense: first
- Lions pass defense: second
- Lions run defense: fifth
- Lions special teams: first
Put it all together, and the Lions (49.8% DVOA — 0.0% is average) have a healthy lead over the second-place Baltimore Ravens (35.7%).
What is perhaps most shocking, though, is the Lions are playing at a historic level. DVOA metrics go back to 1979, and according to DVOA creator Aaron Schatz, through their first 10 games, the Lions have the third-best DVOA metric in the history of the statistic:
Here’s where the Lions now stand in DVOA through 10 games: third, behind only 2007 Patriots and 1991 Washington.
The Lions have positive DVOA in every game this season. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/5LHWN4rmBY
— Aaron Schatz (@ASchatzNFL) November 18, 2024
The only teams above the Lions are the 2007 New England Patriots—who you may remember from going undefeated in the regular season—and the 1991 Washington team who went 14-2 and won the Super Bowl.
That’s some pretty good company to keep. Hold onto your butts, y’all. We have never witnessed Lions football like this.
- Always one of the best parts of Victory Monday: the best radio calls from Dan Miller and his crew:
- Do the Lions have the best offense in football history? Dan Campbell believes Detroit at least has the capability of that. Will Burchfield dives into the question here. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press also did some statistical comparisons to the best offenses in history.
- Note to NFL quarterbacks: don’t test the Lions deep:
Throwing it towards these guys isn’t in a QB’s best interest ️
h/t @NextGenStats https://t.co/pL7BQcS8Ds pic.twitter.com/8QgpA1OKbb
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) November 18, 2024
- While on the topic of Kerby Joseph, it’s worth noting what he accomplished off the field. After their win on Sunday, Joseph joined Lions receiver Jameson Williams in handing out 100 turkeys to those in need over on the west side of Detroit. The Detroit Free Press has that entire story.
- The Lions made the difficult decision of letting Jonah Jackson hit free agency this offseason. Now that appears to have been the right decision, as Jackson was benched by the Los Angeles Rams this week. Meanwhile…
Kevin Zeitler recorded a 90.6 PFF Offensive Grade in Week 11 (2nd – Guards).
Zeitler has now had back-to-back games with a 90+ Grade (Week 10 @ HOU – 91.2).
He’s now PFF’s 3rd highest graded Guard this season with an 87.8. It’s his highest season total since 2014 (CIN – 89.1)
— Al Karsten (@FootballGuy_Al) November 18, 2024
- Some interesting Lions statistics from this weekly recap from ESPN. Here’s a taste:
“Glenn trusts his guys and has them playing man coverage 52.2% of the time since the Hutchinson injury, the highest rate for any defense. They play press man coverage nearly 32% of the time, which is a league-high and more than double the league average of 12.6%.”
