Studs and Duds for the Lions victory over the Seahawks

The Detroit Lions’ offense, which had been relatively quiet to start the season, finally came alive in a thrilling 42-29 victory over the Seattle Seahawks heading into their bye week.

Historically, the Seahawks have been a tough matchup for the Lions, but Detroit was determined to flip the script, and they did so in a big way under the bright lights of Monday Night Football. The offense looked like its old self, showcasing a full arsenal of big plays and creative trick plays that left Seattle’s defense scrambling. From explosive downfield shots to innovative play designs, the Lions had the Seahawks on their heels all night.

Although the defense wasn’t as dominant as it’s been in previous weeks, they did enough to keep Seattle at bay, forcing the Seahawks to play catch-up throughout the game.

This was the kind of statement win that was both fun to watch and a confidence booster, as the Lions got a massive victory against a formidable opponent. Now, let’s dive into the Studs and Duds from the Lions’ big win over Seattle.

Stud: Jared Goff

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates a touchdown against Seattle Seahawks during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024.

If you’d told me Jared Goff would finish with more receiving touchdowns than incompletions, I’d have called it impossible—but that’s exactly what happened. Goff was flawless, completing all 18 of his pass attempts for 292 yards and two touchdowns, while also catching a touchdown pass on a trick play from Amon-Ra St. Brown. Goff looked like he was playing in slow motion, effortlessly reading the defense and spreading the ball around to keep the Seahawks off balance. It was the most explosive and efficient performance we’ve seen from this offense all season, and Goff was in complete control from start to finish, putting on an absolute clinic.

Dud: James Houston

(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

When Marcus Davenport went down, it opened the door for James Houston to step up and see increased snaps. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been smooth sailing. Houston has been a bit of a one-trick pony, relying heavily on his speed to rush the edge. When that doesn’t work, he’s getting stonewalled, which was evident against Seattle.

To make matters worse, he was frequently flagged for offsides (3 flags, one declined), drawing penalties almost every time he was on the field. That’s the kind of performance that will quickly frustrate both coaches and fans. If Houston wants to remain part of the rotation and avoid becoming a healthy scratch, he needs to diversify his pass-rushing moves and get back to being the disruptive force he once was.

Stud: WR Corps

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) celebrates with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14)

The Lions’ receiving corps put on a complete performance, excelling in every aspect of the game. Amon-Ra St. Brown was his usual reliable self, hauling in six catches for 45 yards, including a beautifully executed toe-drag touchdown, and even threw a perfect spiral to Jared Goff for a touchdown on a trick play.

Jameson Williams added some flash by paying homage to Calvin Johnson—who was inducted into the Ring of Honor—by dunking the ball over the goalpost after taking a deep pass to the house. Meanwhile, Tim Patrick stepped up and solidified himself as a reliable third option, catching both of his targets for 52 yards.

But their impact went beyond the box score. All three receivers contributed in the blocking game, springing runs and turning short catches into big gains with yards after the catch. The entire unit was in sync, playing a huge role in the Lions’ offensive explosion. If this performance is any indication, the wide receiver room is poised to be a driving force for Detroit’s success.

Dud: Tackling

(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

The Seahawks pulled out all the stops to keep pace with the Lions, using their dynamic playmakers to stay competitive throughout the game. They managed to break off several big plays, largely due to poor tackling by the Lions.

Time and again, Detroit defenders were going low on their tackles but failing to wrap up, allowing Seattle to turn short gains into explosive plays and even a few scoring opportunities. Had the Lions been more sound in their tackling, this game might have looked very different.

Still, it’s a testament to Seattle’s offensive firepower that they capitalized on those lapses. Despite the defensive struggles, the Lions did just enough to limit the damage and keep the Seahawks from taking control of the game. It wasn’t a perfect defensive showing, but they held firm when it mattered most, securing a hard-fought win.

Stud: Kerby Joseph

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – SEPTEMBER 30: Kerby Joseph #31 of the Detroit Lions intercepts a pass intended for Jaxon Smith-Njigba #11 (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Kerby Joseph ended any last gasp for the Seahawks with a leaping interception in the end zone. It’s beginning to become old hat for the Lions safety, making a big play to secure a Detroit win.

Joseph had a pretty strong overall night. His 9 tackles led the team, including a tackle for a loss. Without running mate Brian Branch in the lineup, Joseph needed to step up as a tackler and playmaker and he did just that in the win over Seattle.

This article was originally published by Usatoday.com. Read the original article here.