Week 1 PFF Grades Best and Worst vs Lions 2025

[tynimiller]

As always here are the best 5 and worst five on both sides of the ball (with 10 snap minimum) from the game.

Disclaimer - For the morons out there that have in the past take sharing these as Tyni's way of stating PFF is gospel and without issues couldn't be farther than the truth. It is merely a metric widely recognized which does over time allow one to glean how one player is doing and compare them to their colleagues as well.

Take it for what it is...don't make it more than it is:

Offense Best
Jordan Love - 76.3
Dontayvion Wicks - 74.8
Romeo Doubs - 74.8
Jordan Morgan - 73.5
Sean Rhyan - 73.3

Offense Worst
Aaron Banks - 44.0
Luke Musgrave - 51.2
Malik Heath - 54.8 (11 snaps)
Darian Kinnard - 57.2 (15 snaps)
Josh Jacobs - 59.2 (missed some blocking assignments that really hurt him grade wise).

Defense Best
Evan Williams - 90.5
Devonte Wyatt - 78.7
Edgerrin Cooper - 77.6
Carrington Valentine - 72.6
Lukas Van Ness - 68.7

Defense Worst
Javon Bullard - 44.8
Kingsley Enagbare - 53.3
Karl Brooks - 53.9
Xavier McKinney - 54.7
Isaiah McDuffie - 55.7


Observations/Thoughts

Nothing really shocked me and because everyone will want to know Parsons got a 66.0 which is fair...just pass rush he got a 73.9 which is the highest graded guy on the team for the game in that category (Wyatt got 72.7 and Cooper 73.6).

Whenever your worst 5 that saw substantial snaps are in the 50s it is usually a good sign that you played well and this is no different.

It is worthy to note that we even had a 6th offensive guy above 70.0 which is not easy in PFF grading and that was Jayden Reed at 71.2.

We had 21 players on offense given a grade...of those only 6 were lower than 60.0....and of those only three less than 55.0. It was just a very clean and well played game.

 

[Magooch]

Jacobs grade is kind of interesting to me. One of the things I heard many people saying analyzing the game was something to the effect of "Jacobs didn't have his best day running the ball, but he was really effective in picking up blocks for Love to open up the passing game," which seemed accurate enough to my eye on first watch...I would have to go back and check more carefully.

Similarly I'm pleased to see LVN sneaking in there. I thought he quietly had a very good game, but was not getting a lot of talk in the aftermath, largely overshadowed by some of his peers (a good problem to have). Hopefully that is the start of an upwards trend...

Mostly checks out with my eye-test I'd say

 

[Pugger]

That Kinnard grade is a puzzlement too. I thought he played well coming in off the bench, especially run blocking. I don't think he's been in town very long.

 

[tynimiller]

That Kinnard grade is a puzzlement too. I thought he played well coming in off the bench, especially run blocking. I don't think he's been in town very long.

I know once maybe twice he got beat on a pass set very quickly, it was a quick option pass if memory recalls so while no pressure given, isolated looking at such a play getting beat will lower his score. Also the scores will be impacted more by one or two losses like that, with the fewer snap counts.

 

[El Guapo]

Jacobs grade is kind of interesting to me. One of the things I heard many people saying analyzing the game was something to the effect of "Jacobs didn't have his best day running the ball, but he was really effective in picking up blocks for Love to open up the passing game," which seemed accurate enough to my eye on first watch...I would have to go back and check more carefully.

I only noticed one of his pass blocks, but it was on a big throw by Love. Either the safety or LB can flying through a gap in the line at full speed and Jacobs stonewalled him, pushing him into the RG and effectively giving Love a runway to throw or run. He may have flopped on every other block, but that was the one that got my attention.

 

[Sunshinepacker]

Jacobs grade is kind of interesting to me. One of the things I heard many people saying analyzing the game was something to the effect of "Jacobs didn't have his best day running the ball, but he was really effective in picking up blocks for Love to open up the passing game," which seemed accurate enough to my eye on first watch...I would have to go back and check more carefully.

Similarly I'm pleased to see LVN sneaking in there. I thought he quietly had a very good game, but was not getting a lot of talk in the aftermath, largely overshadowed by some of his peers (a good problem to have). Hopefully that is the start of an upwards trend...

Mostly checks out with my eye-test I'd say

That's the difference between fans watching a game and reacting in the moment versus going through play-by-play and focusing on one player every time. When Jacobs makes a block and a pass is completed it stands out in people's minds. When Jacobs misses a block and Love gets pressured then it can be easy for the mind to just remember a poor throw or a receiver that wasn't expecting a quick pass to drop the ball. The human mind is wired to remember positive things and forget negative things.

 

[mradtke66]

The human mind is wired to remember positive things and forget negative things.

Or to over-remember the negative things. For example, the weather man getting the forecast right 95% of the time, but we remember the 5% of the time that his model negatively impacts us.

 

[OldSchool101]

Javon Bullard concerns me. He’s been consistently on the bottom 5 and this is a carry over from 2024. I guess in his Defense they picked on him with a ton of short passes and shallow crossers. Still though I’m beginning to think that Hobbs would be better suited for that role. Always want our best 3 CB’s and Bullard could spell Hobbs some later in the game.

Again this isn’t a global negative on our Defense. I think they played great. If there was 1 weak link though it was Slot. It’s not a negative to look at film and analyze where we can improve or if there’s a problem area etc.. If anything I’ve been accused of being “too positive” so I’m just trying to keep it real. We certainly shouldn’t remain content as other teams will match up better and some will improve or even pick on Bullard (if it’s not already happening)

 

[Half Empty]

Or to over-remember the negative things. For example, the weather man getting the forecast right 95% of the time, but we remember the 5% of the time that his model negatively impacts us.

Where do you live that the weather person is right 95%?

 

[milani]

I only noticed one of his pass blocks, but it was on a big throw by Love. Either the safety or LB can flying through a gap in the line at full speed and Jacobs stonewalled him, pushing him into the RG and effectively giving Love a runway to throw or run. He may have flopped on every other block, but that was the one that got my attention.

I still hate it that MLF does not use a FB or bring a TE into the backfield on short yardage. Sure you can RPO, but Love is not Jackson or Hurts. Jacobs getting stoned on that critical 3rd and 1 really is frustrating. It could well have happened at the goal line. Everyone in the building new Jacobs was getting the ball. The 9ers still after all these years have a FB and use him. We could fake to Jacobs and toss in the flat to a FB or TE to get that one yard.

 

[mradtke66]

Where do you live that the weather person is right 95%?

And the prosecution rests.

 

[OldSchool101]

I still hate it that MLF does not use a FB or bring a TE into the backfield on short yardage. Sure you can RPO, but Love is not Jackson or Hurts. Jacobs getting stoned on that critical 3rd and 1 really is frustrating. It could well have happened at the goal line. Everyone in the building new Jacobs was getting the ball. The 9ers still after all these years have a FB and use him. We could fake to Jacobs and toss in the flat to a FB or TE to get that one yard.

Yes. That or have designed play that has success. Like Kraft reducing inside and taking a direct snap behind Elgton. I don’t remember Kraft ever not getting a yard. I’d run that play until someone shows they can stop it.

Last year Kraft was 3 of 3 tries rushing for 6 yards and 3 First Downs. 100% success rate. I’d do that at minimum once in a game and if the D overcommits inside? Have a designed trick rollout with an option to throw a 3 yard pass on that side.

One of the reasons Kraft works is he’s well proportioned lower body at 255lbs. Secondly there’s no time for the Defense to gain momentum. By the time the D times the snap, Kraft has the ball and has taken his first step already. Which means he has momentum. I might even bring in a guy like Wooden eligible and do the Fridge handoff and have him go Buffalo style. Hard to stop a 300lb+ man who has a head of steam.

 

[El Guapo]

I might even bring in a guy like Wooden eligible and do the Fridge handoff and have him go Buffalo style. Hard to stop a 300lb+ man who has a head of steam.

I agree with everything you said. However, IMO the main reason that you don't see every team with a William Perry play in their arsenal is that while those guys seem like a load to stop, most do not truly understand the nuances of how to gain those tough yards. The foot placement for power, the wiggle in the right spot, the slight shift of direction to a sliver of daylight... It's like throwing a bowling ball at a concrete instead of throwing it at the weak point of a concrete wall.

 

[Pugger]

Where do you live that the weather person is right 95%?

Probably FL. The weather doesn't change much around here unless a hurricane is coming.

 

[Thirteen Below]

Where do you live that the weather person is right 95%?

I remember whan I lived in Hawaii, the local TV weather guy took a week's vacation. God knows where he went to get away.... I dunno, Antarctica maybe? Norway? Anyway, High School Sports Guy came in 10 minutes early every night and covered the weather too. That's just the way life is in the islands; people make do, pull together... stuff gets taken care of, no big deal.

So, first night, High School Sports Guy's got that 7 day forecast thing on the screen behind him, showing the forecasted temperatures and precipitation for the following week. Every single day said "daytime 75, overnight lows 50, chance of rain."

He holds the card in his hand, looks serious, and in his best "Ted Baxter Voice", pronounces "On Monday, highs will be in the mid 70s, overnight lows in the 50s, chance of periodic rain occasionally in the day. Tuesday.... highs in the mid 70s, lows in the 50s, occasional showers possible in the afternoon... Wednesday, expect daytime temperatures in the mid-70s with an occasional shower, good sleeping weather overnight with temperatures in the 50s.... " He's looking more and more puzzled, like he wants to make sure he's not missing something.

His voice tails off, he looks confused for a moment... reads the cards.... shakes his head, and looks back up at the camera and relaxes.... "For the whole week, it'll be 70-some degrees every day, cool nights down in the 50s, occasional light showers, and in between the showers, great weather. We live in Hawaii."

And, that's pretty much what a TV weatherman does in Hawaii. Great gig.

 

[milani]

Where do you live that the weather person is right 95%?

Probably Pleasantville. Sunny Hi 72 Clear Low 72. Same tomorrow.

 

[lambeaulambo]

my tree is on fire.

 

[OldSchool101]

I agree with everything you said. However, IMO the main reason that you don't see every team with a William Perry play in their arsenal is that while those guys seem like a load to stop, most do not truly understand the nuances of how to gain those tough yards. The foot placement for power, the wiggle in the right spot, the slight shift of direction to a sliver of daylight... It's like throwing a bowling ball at a concrete instead of throwing it at the weak point of a concrete wall.

Sure @El Guapo
But it would be fun to watch!.
Have Wyatt come in at FB as a lead blocker in I formation hitting the first hole with steam and lowering his helmet and then Micah in his wake hitting the hole full throttle.

 

[Thirteen Below]

my tree is on fire.

How did that happen?

 

[SudsMcBucky]

San Diego would be a place where you could probably call the weather correctly 95% of the time.

 

[Firethorn1001]

His voice tails off, he looks confused for a moment... reads the cards.... shakes his head, and looks back up at the camera and relaxes.... "For the whole week, it'll be 70-some degrees every day, cool nights down in the 50s, occasional light showers, and in between the showers, great weather. We live in Hawaii."

And, that's pretty much what a TV weatherman does in Hawaii. Great gig.

Reminds me when Triumph the Insult Dog did the Hawaii weather

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[weeds]

How did that happen?

Where's my dinner?

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[milani]

Where's my dinner?

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Cat?

 

[weeds]

Cat?

I love that movie.