Go through the gallery above to view Justin Rogers’ final grades for the 2020-21 Detroit Lions. Click here if you’re having trouble viewing the gallery.
The Detroit Lions finished the 2020-21 season with a 5-11 record. That represented modest improvement from the previous year, but not near enough to save the jobs of general manager Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia, who were dismissed with five games remaining.
On offense, the Lions were competent. Despite missing their top receiver much of season, they still managed to finish in the middle of the pack in yards and points. The offensive line was improved, so was the ground game, and other pass-catchers stepped up in Kenny Golladay’s absence.
The defense, on the other hand, was a disaster. Sure, there were injury issues, but that doesn’t excuse the historically bad performance, which saw the unit surrender the most yards and points in franchise history.
That brings us to the season-ending report card, where we look at the pieces of the whole that made this team and season what it was.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Justin_Rogers