Lost among the cracks on the Lions’ armor are those that have been filled.
Defense counts in the NFL, you know, and the Lions have been much better defensively.
They are ninth in points allowed (17.7) and 10th in yards surrendered (293.3) per game.
Run defense was a strength last season and the Lions still rank fourth (76.7). The difference has been pass defense. The Lions are 18th in the NFL at 216 yards per game.
In 2023, the Lions were 27th in pass defense, second vs. the run, 23rd in points allowed and 19th in total yards yielded. Aidan Hutchinson leads the NFL with 6.5 sacks.
The improvement has been displayed against good quarterbacks, Matthew Stafford and Baker Mayfield from playoff rematches with the Rams and Bucs, and Kyler Murray, the NFL’s highest-rated QB, according to PFF.com, entering the Arizona game.
Yet, the Lions’ defense has allowed just three touchdown passes while garnering three interceptions.
The Lions are 2-1, not an ideal start considering how they let the Tampa Bay game fritter away, but nonetheless acceptable.
Conversely, the offense has underperformed, but at least so far the defense is making up for it.
The question is whether it is sustainable. Last season, the Lions’ defense started well, holding Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to just two touchdowns, while scoring one of their own on a Brian Branch return, in a season-opening triumph.
Then the next week the Seahawks arrived at Ford Field and obliterated the Lions’ defense. And here come the Seahawks again Monday night.
Seattle QB Geno Smith is an enigma, but he torched Detroit’s defense. In 2023 he was 32-41 for 328 yards and two TDs. The Lions’ revamped secondary will be challenged by a deep, diverse receiving corps, led by DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxson Smith-Njigba.
Moving Branch to the deep third from the slot corner has improved the Lions’ defense noticeably. Safety Kerby Joseph has been outstanding. He is the Lions most improved player. The Lions have received solid performances from free agent signing cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Amik Robertson. First-round draft pick corner Terrion Arnold has been penalized too much and has a poor @PFF grade, but he did a good job of sticking with Marvin Harrison Jr. Sunday. They have put a lot on Arnold's shoulders early, but don’t be surprised if he progresses. Branch is in concussion protocol, but has practiced on a limited basis this week. He may play Monday. If not, the Lions secondary will be diminished.
The Lions’ offense is too good to sputter for long. If the defense can continue to be among the top third in the NFL, even in the top half, the Lions may, indeed, be able to take it all the way.
Obviously, we’ll find out more when the Seahawks bring their potential matchup nightmare to town for a revealing test.