It’s widely acknowledged now that the Detroit Lions had one of the top offensive lines in the NFL throughout the 2024 season. Right tackle Penei Sewell was initially chosen for the Pro Bowl, while left tackle Taylor Decker is taking Sewell’s place because of an injury, and center Frank Ragnow is also going to Orlando.
In general, the Lions excelled in the front line, and this statement is backed by the offensive line ratings given by Pro Football Network. The Lions ranked No. 6 on the board.
PFN’s metrics “integrates pressure and sack rate statistics along with time-to-throw information to create a profile of an offensive line’s performance in different scenarios.” We subsequently incorporate ESPN’s pass block win rate (PBWR) and run block win rate (RBWR) statistics to provide a thorough analysis of the performance of these units. PFN considered not only the performance throughout the season but also data from the past month and overall trends for each unit on a weekly basis.
In evaluating the Lions, PFN awarded Detroit a total score of 85.6 for the regular season and 82.7 when combining the regular season and the playoffs.
Following a mid-season wobble, the Detroit Lions’ offensive line concluded the season on a high note, finishing sixth after securing the division in Week 18. They rank fourth over the past four weeks, which includes a D- showing against the Bills in Week 15. Ending with a B- against a strong Minnesota Vikings defense is a significant testament to this team.
The Lions are positioned 12th and 16th in PBWR and RBWR, respectively, and hold the 11th spot in pressure rate at 32.6%. However, they rank second in RBYBC/rush (1.08). Detroit’s pass-blocking statistics are aided by the reality that Jared Goff ranks among the top 10 in time taken to throw (2.71).
The Lions’ pass protection has been particularly strong when facing the blitz. Goff ranks 10th in the NFL for time taken to throw under pressure from the blitz, while the offensive line is seventh in pressure rate (37.1%) and fifth in sack rate (5.2%). Interestingly, they achieve negative splits when not under pressure from the blitz, placing ninth in time to throw, and 12th and 13th in pressure rate and sack rate, respectively.
Detroit is concerned that its difficulties have arisen when facing other playoff teams. They received a C from the Buccaneers, a C- from the Vikings, a C+ and a D+ from the Green Bay Packers, a C from the Houston Texans, and a D- from the Bills.
As competition increases, Detroit’s line has often faced difficulties, but performing strongly against the Vikings should ease some of those worries.
We witnessed those worries against stronger teams culminate in the Divisional Round. The Lions concluded the week with a grade of C+, largely due to permitting a high pressure rate during both blitz situations and when facing three- or four-man rushes. They recorded a 66.7% pressure rate when under blitz (16th) and a 43.2% pressure rate when the Commanders refrained from blitzing.
You can definitely highlight those concerns with pass blocking related to some of Goff’s difficulties against the Commanders. Throughout the season, Goff has excelled when in a clean pocket but has had difficulty when pressured. That manifested in a three-interception game for the experienced quarterback.
The majority of the line remains unchanged in 2025, but left guard Kevin Zeitler will become a free agent this spring. Detroit might consider improving their right guard position, as Graham Glasgow has had a challenging season overall. However, the Lions ought to have confidence in those shielding Jared Goff and creating openings for Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.