Lions' Week 15 Grades: Dan Campbell's Squad Stuns Cardinals

Read more on the Detroit Lions' positional grades, after their Week 15 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

In one of the most shocking upsets of the NFL season, the Detroit Lions pummeled the Arizona Cardinals Sunday at Ford Field. It wasn’t close, as coach Dan Campbell’s gameplan led directly to the Lions knocking off the Cardinals, 30-12.

The win boosts Detroit to 2-11-1 on the season. 

It was an impressive showing from a wide array of players. With several starters out, the Lions deployed the "next man up" philosophy to put together a phenomenal performance.

Here are SI All Lions’ grades from the win. 

Quarterback: A

Jared Goff played his best game as Lions quarterback Sunday, playing turnover-free football for the entire game while tossing three touchdowns. Though he threw for a modest 216 yards, he was a rock-solid 21-for-26 passing. His accuracy was on point, and he hit several big throws.

After leading a field-goal drive to open up the game, Goff delivered a beautiful strike to rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 37-yard score. He also hit Josh Reynolds for a score, on a tight-window throw late in the first half, and finished things off with an easy flip to Jason Cabinda for a touchdown.

Goff did miss one play in the second quarter, after taking a shot from a Cardinals defender. It was one of three roughing-the-passer penalties he absorbed on the day. He was exceptional Sunday.

Running backs: B

After showing flashes in his first game as a member of the Lions, Craig Reynolds was everything his team needed him to be Sunday. The Kutztown product ran for 112 yards on 26 carries, setting the tone with a 27-yard burst in the first quarter.

Reynolds was superb, as the team was without both D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams yet again. Both those players are large parts of the offense, so having Reynolds step in paid dividends.

While Reynolds was successful, backups Jermar Jefferson and Godwin Igwebuike were mostly ineffective. Both fumbled, with Jefferson recovering his own. It was the second straight game with a fumble for Igwebuike, who finished with zero yards on two carries.

In all, the Lions rushed for 126 yards as a team, with St. Brown contributing five yards on a jet sweep. Jefferson had nine yards on five carries.

Wide receivers/tight ends: A

With Goff being so steady, the Lions got plenty from their wide receivers. St. Brown and Josh Reynolds both stood out, leading the way for the unit. The rookie from USC finished with eight catches for 90 yards, his third straight game with at least eight receptions.

Reynolds, meanwhile, finished with season-high marks in both catches (six) and yards (68). He made an impressive catch on his touchdown, lunging to haul in the pass while heavily covered by a defender.

David Reginek, USA TODAY Sports

Kalif Raymond also contributed 20 yards on two catches, while Shane Zylstra hauled in a 16-yard pass. Brock Wright didn’t have a catch and was penalized twice, the lone downside on an otherwise great day for Detroit’s pass-catchers.

Offensive line: B

Detroit knew it would need a good performance from its line without its playmakers. Campbell called 34 total run plays, and often called on swing tackle Matt Nelson to help create running lanes.

For the most part, the unit obliged by paving lanes for Reynolds. However, there were struggles. Taylor Decker was beaten by Markus Golden on a sack, one of two for Arizona on the day. Decker also was called for a false start.

Halapoulivaati Vaitai also struggled, often coming up a step slow in pulling situations. He was tossed aside twice by defenders early on, allowing Reynolds to be tackled for losses. The unit still came up strong, however, handling the difficult Cardinal pass rush with relative ease.

Defensive line: A

Facing one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the NFL, Detroit responded with its best effort of the season. Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray was constantly on the move, being sacked twice and hurried countless other times.

Charles Harris was the star Sunday, notching three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He tackled Cardinals receiver Rondale Moore for a loss on the game’s opening drive, and ended Arizona’s second possession with a sack of Murray. He finished the game with 12 tackles, a game-high.

Linebackers: B+

Jalen Reeves-Maybin put together a solid performance, finishing with five tackles and two passes defensed. He broke up a pass to tight end Zack Ertz on a third-down play in the third quarter, forcing Arizona into a field-goal attempt.

Last week’s leading tackler Josh Woods and Alex Anzalone both left the game with injuries. Anzalone was missed on certain passing situations, as backup Jesse Lemonier didn’t seem to have the same hold on some schemes.

The group did a good job against the run, holding the Cardinals to 105 yards on 21 carries. More importantly, Murray was held to three yards on four carries, and starting running back James Conner had 39 yards on eight carries.

Secondary: B+

Amani Oruwariye once again established himself as one of the better young corners in the game, with a dazzling interception in the third quarter. After the Lions gave Arizona the ball back on an Igwebuike fumble, Oruwariye snatched it back and raced 50 yards deep into the red zone.

The interception was one of two passes defensed by the former Penn State Nittany Lions defensive back, who now has six interceptions on the season. He ranks third in the league, behind Trevon Diggs and J.C. Jackson.

In his first game back from injury, A.J. Parker had six tackles and two passes defended. Will Harris had another solid showing, breaking up a pass and making five tackles. On the flip side, he was called for pass interference.

Murray did dice up the secondary at times, throwing for 257 yards and a score (a 26-yard strike to Christian Kirk). The secondary did a phenomenal job, however, on a second-quarter, goal-line stand that led to the Lions' second touchdown drive.

Special teams: B

Jack Fox punted three times, averaging 44 yards with a long of 55. The punt coverage team did a good job, holding Moore to 18 yards total on two returns.

Riley Patterson, meanwhile, looks to be comfortable kicking in the NFL, as he improved to 7-for-7 on field-goal tries on the season. He made field goals from 37, 47 and 45 yards out.

The kickoff coverage unit struggled, however, allowing 31-yard returns to both Moore and Andy Isabella. The group was also penalized for being offsides when Campbell tried a surprise onside kick.

Coaching: A

Campbell had his squad ready to play Sunday. With everything the Lions were missing, there were a million different excuses that could have been made. Rather than do just that against one of the league’s best teams, Campbell owned the opportunity, and took it to a team that may have sleep-walked through walkthroughs in anticipation of a blowout.

The effort alone is worth an "A," but Detroit’s first-year head coach also showed growth as a play-caller. He drew up plays to get St. Brown in open space, such as a 6-yard screen on fourth-and-1 that led to a touchdown on the ensuing play.

The passing game looked improved, as Campbell continues to work with tight ends coach Ben Johnson to devise schemes. The team as a whole was efficient, well-prepared and disciplined.

Defensively, Aaron Glenn is likely to get at least an interview for a head coaching gig soon. He stymied Arizona head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, keeping the Cardinals in check. The Lions shut out the Cardinals in the first half, the first time this has happened to Arizona on the road this season. 

Kirthmon F. Dozier, USA TODAY NETWORK