It’s no secret at this point that the Detroit Lions sported one of the best offensive lines in the NFL during the 2024 season. Right tackle Penei Sewell was originally selected to go to the Pro Bowl, left tackle Taylor Decker is replacing Sewell due to injury and center Frank Ragnow is also heading to Orlando.
Overall, the Lions were strong up front, and that fact is supported by the offensive line rankings provided by Pro Football Network. The Lions checked in at No. 6 on the board.
PFN’s metrics “combines pressure and sack rate stats with time-to-throw data to build a profile of an offensive line’s performance in various situations. We then sprinkle in ESPN’s pass block (PBWR) and run block win rate (RBWR) stats to give a comprehensive overview of these units’ performance.” PFN also took into account season-long performance, data over the last four weeks and general trends from each unit week by week.
In grading the Lions, PFN gave Detroit an overall score of 85.6 for the regular season and 82.7 between the regular season and the playoffs.
After a wobble in the middle of the season, the Detroit Lions’ offensive line has finished the season strongly, ranking sixth after clinching the division in Week 18. They are fourth over the last four weeks, and that includes a D- performance against the Bills in Week 15. Finishing with a B- against a very good Minnesota Vikings defense is also a huge credit to this group.
The Lions rank 12th and 16th in PBWR and RBWR, respectively, and are 11th in pressure rate (32.6%). Yet, they’re second in RBYBC/rush (1.08). Detroit’s pass-blocking numbers are helped by the fact that Jared Goff is in the top 10 in time to throw (2.71).
Where the Lions’ pass blocking has excelled is against the blitz. Goff is 10th in the NFL in time to throw against the blitz, but the line ranks seventh in pressure rate (37.1%) and fifth in sack rate (5.2%). Intriguingly, they actually have negative splits when not facing the blitz, ranking ninth in time to throw and 12th and 13th in pressure rate and sack rate, respectively.
Detroit’s worry is that its struggles have come against other playoff teams. They graded as a C against the Buccaneers, a C- against the Vikings, a C+ and a D+ against the Green Bay Packers, a C against the Houston Texans, and a D- against the Bills.
When the competition ramps up, Detroit’s line has tended to struggle, but finishing well against the Vikings will have helped alleviate some of those concerns.
We saw those concerns against better teams come to a head in the Divisional Round. The Lions finished the week graded as a C+, thanks in large part to allowing a high-pressure rate both against the blitz and against three- or four-man rushes. They allowed a 66.7% pressure rate against the blitz (16th) and a 43.2% pressure rate when the Commanders did not blitz.
You can certainly point to those issues with pass blocking regarding some of Goff’s struggles against the Commanders. All season, Goff has been superb from a clean pocket but struggled under pressure. That showed up in a three-interception performance for the veteran quarterback.
Most of the line still stay intact in 2025 but left guard Kevin Zeitler is a free agent this spring. Detroit may also look to upgrade at right guard after Graham Glasgow struggled overall this season. But overall, the Lions should feel about those protecting Jared Goff and opening holes for Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
