Studs and Duds: Seahawks Pick on Jerry Jacobs, Expose Secondary
The Detroit Lions let one slip away in Week 2, falling 37-31 to the Seattle Seahawks in overtime.
After stealing a win on the road in Week 1, the Lions were unable to add to their strong start to the season and ultimately lost a close contest against Seattle. The game came with plenty of meaning, as the Seahawks have dominated the Lions in recent years.
Though the loss is frustrating, there were plenty of good moments for Dan Campbell's team. Ahead of their Week 3 matchup with the Falcons, it can be a necessary building block.
Here are studs and duds from Sunday's performance:
STUD: WR Josh Reynolds
Reynolds continued to be a key part of the Lions' offense, catching five passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns. He made an impact on passes over the middle, providing a key security blanket for Jared Goff.
The versatile wideout has received high praise for his performance throughout the early part of the season. Though not a traditional vertical threat, he has made noise with his ability to separate from tight coverage and make plays after the catch.
On Sunday, he hauled in two key touchdowns. Both were similar concepts, as he caught the ball across the middle of the field. Reynolds has been an afterthought with the talent in the receiver room at times, but he's come into his own early in the season.
Amon-Ra St. Brown continued his strong start to the season as well, notching 102 receiving yards. The USC product was limited down the stretch, though, as he was dealing with cramps that sidelined him at points in the fourth quarter.
DUD: CB Jerry Jacobs
Jacobs struggled in his second start. He committed pass interference in the end zone on the first possession, setting the tone for a difficult day.
The cornerback had a tough assignment lining up against DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. That duo, as they have in the past, caused plenty of problems for the secondary.
Jacobs also missed a sack attempt in which he ran free as a blitzer and whiffed on Geno Smith. He will continue to get high-leverage opportunities with Emmanuel Moseley sidelined, but he must continue to prove himself worthy.
STUD: LB Alex Anzalone
Anzalone was a bright spot on an otherwise difficult day for the Lions' defense. He finished second on the team in tackles with seven and had the team's lone sack.
The veteran linebacker also caused a negative play when he blew up a screen pass in the first half. In that situation, he displayed his instincts and read the play sufficiently.
His sack of Smith came in a pivotal juncture. With the Lions down three, he abandoned his man coverage assignment and chased down the passer, corralling him near the end zone to set Detroit up with a short field to tie the game at the end of regulation.
DUD: S Kerby Joseph
Joseph had two mishaps in Sunday's game that would prove haunting. First, he was whistled for a pass interference that offset a facemask penalty committed against him by Metcalf.
Later on that series, he dropped an interception that could've been a game-changing play. With those two plays, the Seahawks were able to convert a field goal that brought them closer to the lead in the third quarter.
STUD: QB Jared Goff
A fourth quarter pick-six was a costly blunder, but Goff had an otherwise solid afternoon. He bounced back nicely from the mistake, leading two drives to tie the game and send it to overtime.
He hit on his first nine passes before a fourth-down incompletion. His first half performance was otherwise sterling, as he drilled two touchdown throws including a solid ball to Kalif Raymond off a flea-flicker.
Goff was unable to keep his interception less streak, as his fourth quarter pick-six brought that to an end. Yet, he played well enough to keep the offense in a game that required it to put up points.
DUD: RB Jahmyr Gibbs
Gibbs had a decent day receiving, with seven catches for 39 yards. However, he had a costly drop on a third down that ended a Detroit drive near the end of the first half.
That drop came at a point where the Lions were leading and had plenty of momentum. In that moment, a conversion would've kept the offense on the field and marching toward another pivotal score.
He struggled to get going in the run game, posting just 17 yards on seven carries. He may be in for a bigger workload in the coming weeks, however, as David Montgomery left Sunday's game with a thigh bruise.
