The Detroit Lions‘ offensive line has proven itself as one of the league’s best units through seven weeks of the 2025 season.
Detroit dominated Tampa Bay 24-9 on Monday night, with the O-line playing a central role despite facing one of the NFL’s most physical defensive fronts.
Questions surrounded the group all offseason after losing center Frank Ragnow to retirement and guard Kevin Zeitler to free agency.
Week 7 provided a convincing response about whether the Lions could maintain their elite standard up front.
Former NFL lineman A.Q. Shipley recognized Detroit’s dominance during his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, ranking them as the second-best offensive line performance of the week.
“I love this offensive line group that the Detroit Lions have. They are so good. They knew who was coming into town: it was Vita Vea. It was all the boys trying to punch you in the mouth. They had really good plays and good technique,” Shipley said.
“I love this offensive line group that the Detroit Lions have..
They are SO GOOD” ~ @aqshipley #PMSLive https://t.co/rTzExI7uGz pic.twitter.com/RfRWmJAU4o
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 23, 2025
He praised their physicality and technique against Tampa Bay’s formidable front anchored by Vita Vea.
The Lions controlled the line of scrimmage for most of the contest, neutralizing Vea and Tampa’s interior pressure while giving Jared Goff clean pockets to operate from.
However, the performance wasn’t flawless.
Goff absorbed four sacks as Todd Bowles deployed creative blitz packages that tested Detroit’s protection schemes.
Taylor Decker’s return from injury provided stability, but the unit faced stretches of inconsistency against Tampa’s aggressive approach.
Shipley pointed to running back Jahmyr Gibbs’ 78-yard touchdown run as the clearest example of Detroit’s technical excellence.
The franchise-record score came behind a zone-blocking scheme where Penei Sewell and Christian Mahogany executed a textbook combo block to open the lane.
The play showcased Detroit’s communication and anticipation in recognizing Tampa’s defensive structure.
The Lions continue building their identity through physical line play, proving they can sustain success despite personnel changes.
NEXT: Analyst Names 'Scariest Team' In The NFC