The Detroit Lions (4-1) took care of business against the Cincinnati Bengals (2-3) in Week 5, securing a 37-24 win and heading back to Allen Park to prep for their next primetime matchup in Week 6.
Let’s take a look at this week’s snap counts to see how the Lions adjust their personnel for the Bengals game.
Quarterbacks:
- Jared Goff: 62 snaps (100%)
- Kyle Allen: 0 (0%)
Goff continues to put up impressive numbers in Week 5, throwing for 258 passing yards and three touchdowns on just 23 attempts (19 completions), resulting in an NFL-leading passer rating of 153.0 in Cincinnati.
On the season, he is No. 1 the NFL in passing touchdowns (12) and completion percentage (75,2%), is second in the NFL in passer rating (120.7), is third in EPA (+38.2), and top 10 in passing yards (1187) and interceptions thrown (2).
Running backs:
- David Montgomery: 33 (53%)
- Jahmyr Gibbs: 32 (52%)
- Jacob Saylors: 0 (0%) — 20 special teams snaps (69%)
- Craig Reynolds: 0 (0%) — 18 (62%)
- Sione Vaki: Inactive (Injury)
It was the David Montgomery show in Cincinnati, as the Lions running back returned home for the first time in his NFL career. The Lions made it a point to give him as many opportunities as possible, and he rewarded them with passing and rushing touchdowns. Gibbs saw the other half of the Lions RB snaps, producing 87 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown of his own.
Saylors continues to get a little bit better each week on special teams and is solidifying himself a spot on the roster.
Wide receivers:
- Jameson Williams: 51 (82%)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: 50 (81%) — 2 (7%)
- Isaac TeSlaa: 21 (34%) — 9 (31%)
- Dominic Lovett: 2 (3%) — 11 (38%)
- Kalif Raymond: 2 (3%) — 2 (7%) — INJURED
Williams only saw two touches in Week 5, despite leading the wide receivers in snaps, and the Lions used him to stretch the defense and open things up in the slot and underneath for St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta—both of whom eclipsed 90 yards receiving.
TeSlas saw his opportunities increase after Raymond suffered a scary neck injury and found the end zone for the second time this season. Raymond is still being evaluated for the severity of his injury, but the initial signs are that it’s “good news,” according to coach Dan Campbell.
Lovett took Raymond’s place as a punt returner, while also contributing as a gunner on punt coverage. He did a nice job in both spots.
Tight ends:
- Sam LaPorta: 58 (94%)
- Brock Wright: 45 (73%) — 15 (52%)
- Ross Dwelley: 16 (26%) — 8 (28%)
LaPorta was the Lions’ best offensive weapon in the first half and produced the Lions’ longest play of the day in the second half, a 39-yard reception. Wright continues to be a reliable option on trick plays and was on the receiving end of Montgomery’s passing touchdown.
Offensive line:
- Christian Mahogany: 62 (100%) — 5 (17%)
- Tate Ratledge: 62 (100%) — 5 (17%)
- Penei Sewell: 62 (100%) — 5 (17%)
- Graham Glasgow: 62 (100%)
- Giovanni Manu: 62 (100%)
- Kayode Awosika: 0 (0%) — 5 (17%)
- Trystan Colon: 0 (0%) — 5 (17%)
- Devin Cochran: Did not play
- Taylor Decker: Inactive (injury)
- Kingsley Eguakun: Inactive
With Decker needing a week off, Manu got his first start in the NFL. Taking over at left tackle is no easy assignment, especially when he was tasked with holding back Trey Hendrickson. And he did make a few concerning mistakes; this type of game should only help him improve.
“I thought he did some good things in the run game,” Campbell said. post-game of Manu. “I thought there were some play (action) passes he did a good job (on). And then there were some that—they weren’t good, and he’ll learn from. He’s gotta learn from. That’s what you look forward to.”
After the game, Campbell gave an update on Decker, noting that Manu could get another start in Week 6 if Decker can’t play, but will also face challenges from other offensive tackles, including Dan Skipper and Devin Cochran—who was active but did not play in Week 5.
Defensive end:
- Aidan Hutchinson: 58 (94%)
- Al-Quadin Muhammad: 41 (66%) — 4 (14%)
- Tyler Lacy: 14 (23%)
- Pat O’Connor: 11 (18%) — 18 (62%)
- Tyrus Wheat: 0 (0%) — 13 (45%)
Hutchinson played all but four defensive snaps, while the opposite edge spot saw a rotation of traditional defensive end reps from Muhammad, and 4i/5-technique reps from Lacy and O’Connor. This has been the distribution the Lions have settled on since Marcus Davenport went on injured reserve. Davenport must sit out one more game before he is eligible to return.
Defensive tackle:
- DJ Reader: 39 (63%)
- Roy Lopez: 27 (44%) — 4 (14%)
- Tyleik Williams: 21 (34%)
- Mekhi Wingo: Inactive
- Chris Smith: Inactive
The Lions continue to rotate their three interior defensive tackles, but surprisingly didn’t lean on rookie Williams as much as they have in the past; last week, snaps were split nearly even. With Alim McNeill close to returning for this past game, it seems very likely that we could see him on the field very soon, possibly this Sunday night.
Linebacker:
- Jack Campbell: 62 (100%) — 8 (28%)
- Alex Anzalone: 62 (100%)
- Derrick Barnes: 58 (94%) — 15 (52%)
- Trevor Nowaske: 9 (15%) — 22 (76%)
- Grant Stuard: 0 (0%) — 24 (83%)
- Ty Summers: 0 (0%) — 12 (41%)
- Zach Cunningham: Inactive (injury)
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard continues to play his linebackers at a fever pitch, and based on their performances, it’s easy to see why. Campbell continues to develop before our eyes, Anzalone was terrific in coverage, Barnes was deployed all over the field, and Nowaske continues to find opportunities as a pass rusher.
Cornerback:
- Amik Robertson: 62 (100%)
- Terrion Arnold: 48 (77%) — INJURED
- Rock Ya-Sin: 29 (47%) — 8 (28%)
- Avonte Maddox: 9 (15%) — 10 (34%)
- Tre Flowers: 9 (15%) — 4 (14%)
- Khalil Dorsey: Inactive (Injury)
The Lions were forced to shake things up at corner after D.J. Reed was placed on injured reserve early last week, but this group continued to get banged up and required constant shuffling throughout the game.
The original plan called for Arnold and Robertson to start in formations that required just two corners, with Ya-Sin taking an outside role and Robertson pushing into the slot in subpackages. Unfortunately, when Arnold left with an injury, Ya-Sin took over Arnold’s spot, Robertson was forced to stay on the outside, and Maddox stepped in at nickel (he also saw one rep at safety as an injury replacement). Ya-Sin appeared to be dealing with some cramping issues and was twice forced from the game, which led to Flowers—who just joined the team earlier last week—finding the field as an outside corner.
Moving forward, Robertson is locked in as one of the starters, and we’ll have to wait for an update from Campbell on Arnold’s status before knowing who will take the other starting role. If Arnold is cleared, look for the Lions to repeat their original plan from this week. However, if Arnold can’t play in Week 6, the Lions will likely turn to Ya-Sin (assuming he’s fine) on the outside and Maddox in the slot.
If Dorsey is cleared from his concussion and wrist injuries, he would help the Lions bulk up some of their depth concerns.
Safety:
- Kerby Joseph: 62 (100%)
- Brian Branch: 61 (98%) — 4 (14%)
- Loren Strickland: 0 (0%) — 17 (59%)
- Thomas Harper: 0 (0%) — 13 (45%)
Branch was forced from game action for one play (he was replaced by Maddox), but he and Joseph gave the Lions some security in the secondary. With a lot of moving parts at corner, having two reliable, play-making safeties certainly makes things easier on defensive coaches.
Specialists:
- Jake Bates: 11 (38%)
- Jack Fox: 10 (34%)
- Hogan Hatten: 10 (34%)
That’ll do:
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