The Detroit Lions lost a key game in the race for the NFC North on Thursday, falling to the Green Bay Packers 31-24.
The story of the game was the story of the Lions’ season — offensive line play. The Lions were playing from behind early as the offense struggled to maintain any kind of consistency against the quick and powerful defensive front of the Packers.
The Lions needed key contributions from their rookies as injuries mounted, and they had the opportunities to do so. Despite their efforts, the Lions were unable to secure a win.
Here’s a look at how the rookies performed in Week 13:
Tate Ratledge
The entire Lions offensive line had its work cut out for it on Thursday against a vicious Packers pass rush. Rookie guard Tate Ratledge wasn’t immune to that pressure — getting credited for giving up a sack and two pressures.
Ratledge most notably got run through by the pass rush on that sack of Jared Goff late in the fourth quarter as the Lions were trying to level the game. He’s not been done any favors with the targeting of the interior of the line by opposing pass rushes.
Grade: D+
Tyleik Williams
Rookie defensive tackle Tyleik Williams can be lumped in with the rest of the Lions defensive line in Thursday’s game: meh.
Williams had a near opportunity to take advantage of a poor handoff between Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs early on in the game. Love fumbled the ball right in front of Williams but Williams couldn’t break free of his block before Love recovered his own fumble.
Williams otherwise had an uneventful day, finishing with one tackle and a QB hit.
Grade: D+
Isaac TeSlaa
Rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa saw some of the most work he’s seen all season with the absence of Kalif Raymond and the early exit of Amon-Ra St. Brown.
TeSlaa earned two targets, catching both of them for 35 yards and a touchdown. It remains to be seen what TeSlaa’s potential might be in this offense going forward if both Raymond and St. Brown miss extended time, but if the offensive line can give Jared Goff more time, it may unlock TeSlaa as a real weapon.
Grade: B
Dominic Lovett
Despite the injuries at wide receiver, rookie Dominic Lovett did not see any snaps on offense.
Grade: Incomplete
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Rookie report card from Lions’ Week 13 loss to Packers
