Lions coach Jim Schwartz says Sunday was Ndamukong Suh's best game

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Ndamukong Suh recorded one tackle in Sunday's loss to Minnesota, but Jim Schwartz says there's more to the defensive tackle's performance than makes the box score.

"I thought Ndamukong Suh may have played the best game he's played since he's been here," Schwartz said.

Suh has recorded 13 tackles in the Lions first nine games. Through the same point in 2011, he had 20. In his first nine games as a professional in 2010, he had piled up 26.

Schwartz explained the way he measured Suh's recent performance, and the overall way his staff grades defensive tackles.

"I thought he played a very, very strong game and was difficult for those guys to handle. It doesn't always show up in stats," he said.

"When we grade him, we grade on assignment."

Schwartz said Suh was tough for the Vikings to hold out of making plays Sunday, and pointed to his pressure of Christian Ponder on a screen pass. Schwartz said plays like that are rare, but not for Suh.

Nick Fairley, who played in place of Corey Williams, also got credit from Schwartz.

"I thought Nick played one of the best games he's played since he's been here."

The Lions defensive line was part of a unit that gave up 171 yards to Adrian Peterson on 27 carries in Sunday's 34-24 loss.

"The feeling today is probably a lot like our feeling getting home from Chicago," Schwartz said, before pointing to two consecutive wins following the loss.

Detroit has three straight home games, starting with Green Bay Sunday afternoon.