Detroit Lions’ Defensive Adjustments Against the Chicago Bears in Week 16
The Detroit Lions’ defense has been dealing with multiple injuries, but they continue to make adjustments in player usage. The return of Ifeatu Melifonwu brought new elements to their strategy. Below is a detailed look at the Lions’ snap counts from their 34-17 victory over the Chicago Bears.
Offense
Quarterbacks
- Jared Goff: 65 (100%)
- Hendon Hooker: 0 (0%)
Once again, Goff delivered a performance with a completion percentage over 70%, a passer rating above 135, and two or more passing touchdowns. This marks the fifth time this season that Goff has achieved these numbers, tying an NFL record, according to Lions PR.
Running Backs
- Jahmyr Gibbs: 45 (69%)
- Craig Reynolds: 10 (15%) — 12 special teams snaps (48%)
- Sione Vaki: 5 (8%) — 18 (72%)
- Jermar Jefferson: 5 (8%) — 7 (28%)
- David Montgomery: INJURED — INACTIVE
Gibbs carried the majority of the workload, but the Lions also gave him occasional breaks by utilizing depth, with Reynolds being the primary backup. Vaki appeared in the two-minute offense at the end of the half, while Jefferson helped run down the clock in the game’s closing moments.
Tight Ends
- Sam LaPorta: 60 (92%)
- Brock Wright: 34 (52%) — 11 (44%)
- Shane Zylstra: 1 (2%) — 12 (48%)
LaPorta continues to play a high number of snaps as he is now fully healthy. Wright saw more playing time than in recent weeks due to the Lions using more two-tight-end sets. Zylstra’s role remains mostly special teams and depth insurance.
Wide Receivers
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: 55 (85%)
- Jameson Williams: 54 (83%)
- Tim Patrick: 42 (65%)
- Allen Robinson: 4 (6%)
- Tom Kennedy: 4 (6%) — 3 (12%)
The Lions’ top four receivers saw a typical snap distribution, with Kennedy, who was promoted to the active roster, taking a few offensive reps and serving as the primary punt returner. It’s a well-earned opportunity for the veteran who has been with the team for six years.
Offensive Line
- Penei Sewell: 65 (100%) — 7 (28%)
- Kevin Zeitler: 65 (100%) — 7 (28%)
- Christian Mahogany: 65 (100%) — 7 (28%)
- Taylor Decker: 65 (100%)
- Frank Ragnow: 65 (100%)
- Dan Skipper: 6 (9%) — 10 (40%)
- Kayode Awosika: 0 (0%) — 7 (28%)
- Michael Niese: 0 (0%) — 7 (28%)
- Graham Glasgow: INJURED — INACTIVE
- Colby Sorsdal: INACTIVE
- Giovanni Manu: INACTIVE
With Graham Glasgow sidelined, rookie Christian Mahogany earned his first NFL start and impressed with his quickness off the line, strong pass protection (an 82.5 pass block grade, second on the team), and physicality.
#Lions Christin Mahogany (#73) got his first start at LG in Week 16 and I came away impressed.
Here, the Bears don’t rush a defender in his gap so he checks on Decker’s block then goes looking for work. pic.twitter.com/vvEBMPfeqQ
— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) December 23, 2024
Mahogany allowed just one pressure on 33 pass-blocking snaps, showing that the Lions can feel confident in their interior offensive line moving forward.
Defense
EDGE
- Josh Paschal: 45 (70%)
- Za’Darius Smith: 40 (62%)
- Al-Quadin Muhammad: 20 (31%) — 3 (12%)
- Mitchell Agude: 14 (22%) — 11 (44%)
- Jonah Williams: INACTIVE
The Lions rotated their defensive ends, with Paschal and Smith taking the majority of snaps. Mitchell, Agude, and Levi Onwuzurike rotated in for the remaining snaps.
Defensive Tackles
- Levi Onwuzurike: 40 (62%) — 3 (12%)
- Pat O’Connor: 33 (52%) — 10 (40%)
- DJ Reader: 31 (48%)
- Chris Smith: 12 (19%)
- Myles Adams: 2 (3%)
- Brodric Martin: INACTIVE
The nose tackle position was shared by Reader and O’Connor, while the other defensive tackle role saw reduced snaps as the Lions used more linebackers and safeties. Onwuzurike led the group in snaps but also spent time on the edge. Smith and Adams contributed in a rotation that saw defensive tackles on the field for about 50% of the snaps.
Linebackers
- Jack Campbell: 64 (100%)
- Ben Niemann: 42 (66%) — 4 (16%)
- Trevor Nowaske: 24 (38%) — 15 (60%)
- Ezekiel Turner: 23 (36%) — 18 (72%)
- Anthony Pittman: 11 (17%) — 18 (72%)
- David Long: 0 (0%) — 14 (56%)
- Kwon Alexander: INACTIVE
Campbell played every snap at MIKE linebacker, while Niemann and Turner saw most of the snaps at WILL. Nowaske and Pittman split SAM duties. Alexander was a healthy scratch, likely due to his lack of special teams contribution, while Long was surprisingly inactive.
Cornerbacks
- Terrion Arnold: 63 (98%)
- Amik Robertson: 63 (98%)
- Kindle Vildor: 0 (0%) — 14 (56%)
- Emmanuel Moseley: 0 (0%) — 14 (56%)
Despite having four cornerbacks active, the Lions used only Arnold and Robertson, both on the outside, for the majority of the game. It was unusual that neither Vildor nor Moseley saw the field, even with the Lions holding a significant lead late in the game.
Safeties
- Brian Branch: 64 (100%)
- Kerby Joseph: 63 (98%) — 3 (12%)
- Ifeatu Melifonwu: 51 (80%) — 3 (12%)
- Loren Strickland: 0 (0%) — 7 (28%)
A key adjustment in the Lions’ defensive approach came with the increased use of three safeties. This was the most they have deployed nickel packages this season, with Branch and Melifonwu seeing frequent movement across the field. The team ran a lot of Cover-1, with Joseph playing single-high safety, Branch spending more time in the slot, and Melifonwu rotating between deep, slot, and even linebacker-level positions. This approach maximizes the talents of the Lions’ top defensive backs, and while it may not be repeated every week, it highlights the flexibility they possess when Melifonwu is available.
Special Teams
- Jake Bates: 14 (56%)
- Jack Fox: 8 (32%)
- Hogan Hatten: 8 (32%)
The Lions’ special teams unit maintained its usual level of performance in this game.
