Allen Park — Last Thursday at Ford Field, the roses and thorns of Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams were on full display.
He set career highs in receiving yards (144) and receptions (seven) for an average of 20.6 yards per catch and a 22-yard touchdown in the second quarter. He also dropped a critical fourth-quarter pass from quarterback Jared Goff — which the quarterback admitted was a poor throw — that might’ve made all the difference in a one-score loss.
Now, with the status of All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) uncertain, tight end Sam LaPorta (back) on injured reserve, and wide receiver Kalif Raymond (ankle) unlikely to play, the Lions (7-5) are counting on Williams to consistently be the best version of himself as they prepare to take on the Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1) at Ford Field on Thursday night, and make a push to save their season in the last five games.
For much of his career, Williams has been the quintessential boom-or-bust player, and even though he’s generally become more reliable year over year, that sentiment has persisted in 2025.
“No doubt he’s playing at a better level than he’s played (since) he’s been here,” Lions receivers coach Scottie Montgomery said.
“But the bridge to greatness is consistency. So we can talk about the confidence part of it, but right now, what we have to drive is the way you get to that level of greatness is, really, you have to get to a point where every single play is made, every single block is made.”
Just four days before his 144-yard performance, Williams was held without a catch and had two drops as the Lions struggled to claw back against the New York Giants until the fourth quarter. It was the second time he’d been shut out over his previous five games. Despite being 21st in the league in receiving yards (706), he’s been held to 50 or less in six of 12 games this season.
Williams, who signed a three-year, $80 million extension in September, leads the Lions in yards per reception (18.6) and is second in receiving yards and touchdowns (six). But he also has the highest drop rate (11.1%) on the team by a significant margin, according to Pro Football Reference; St. Brown is next-closest (6.4%).
As for his fourth-down drop on Thanksgiving, which quarterback Jared Goff said was behind the target and should have gone for a touchdown if placed correctly, Williams took his share of the blame this week. Williams said he has to catch the ball when it hits his mitts, something Lions offensive coordinator John Morton — a former receiver himself — echoed on Monday: “It hit his hands,” Morton said.
It might end up being the most critical drop of the season, as it came in the fourth quarter of a one-score loss to a divisional opponent.
“It’s a drop. It’s a drop. … No matter where the ball’s at, as a receiver, you’ve gotta make plays,” Williams added. “The blame don’t go on the quarterback, it go on us. That’s not even putting down my quarterback. … I’m saying it’s my fault, because I dropped the ball.
“He gave me the opportunity, I just gotta make the best of the opportunity and move the sticks for us. I move the sticks right there, it could be a game-changer for us.”
Through some struggles, he’s also continued to show refinement in his game. He’s always had otherworldly getaway speed — all but one of his six touchdowns have come from at least 22 yards away — but has now become a sharper player and developed a more complete route tree.
“For the speed and quickness he has, the ability for him to drop his weight now, and there’s really some detail to his routes,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “He’s becoming a hard cover.”
Montgomery essentially said that he doesn’t want Williams to be the type of receiver who only impresses on highlight reels. He wants Williams to get to a point where people who watch every snap are amazed by his ability to make play after play after play, where his consistency becomes part of his allure.
Given the state of the Lions’ receiver room and the NFC playoff race, it’s more of a need than a want.
“Back then, you had a body of work and people watching it on television, and you had to bring people back and draw them in,” Montgomery said. “So, I think he is playing with a lot more confidence. Confidence plus consistency (equals) greatness. That’s what we want to see, that’s what we need to see, and he’s been working really hard at that.”
Against the Cowboys, Williams should have an opportunity to build on his most recent outing. The one part of Dallas’ defense that has not improved since the trade deadline, when the team acquired star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, is the passing game.
The Cowboys are allowing 242.7 yards per game through the air over the last three weeks, 23rd in the league during that span. Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice caught eight passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns against the Cowboys last Thursday, one week after Eagles wideout A.J. Brown tallied 146 yards and a touchdown on nine catches against Dallas.
nbianchi@detroitnews.com
@nolanbianchi
