The Detroit Lions had a long build-up to their Week 5 game against the Arizona Cardinals. Outside noise about the poor defense was loud. It was a major talking point when discussing the Lions as a team, but the offense also deserved some criticism. Both had a sluggish start, but once the second quarter started, they came out and turned the game around, winning 45-21.
Here are my six takeaways from the Lions’ Week 5 win against the Cardinals.
DJ Wonnum proving his worth
While the Lions defensive line had a strong day against Cardinals
quarterback Jacoby Brissett overall, EDGE DJ Wonnum had the best game. Wonnum finished the game with two tackles, both sacks. He’s been what the Lions have needed on the defensive line: a player opposite EDGE Aidan Hutchinson who can cause havoc and win one-on-ones.
Sure, he isn’t a superstar, but he’s playing well and has been a big boost for this Lions pass rush. Hutchinson on the edge and defensive tackle Alim McNeill were once the focus of opposing offenses, but with Wonnum now on the other end, teams have to start respecting him enough and not devote all their resources toward Hutchinson and McNeill.
We’ve seen McNeill get 3.5 sacks in five games this season, and Hutchinson has four of his own. Who’s the leader of the group? Wonnum is now the leader with 5.0. Detroit has a pass rush now, and if the secondary can get figured out, uh-oh.
Gotta give the secondary its props
When the opening drive happened, I thought it would be a long day for the Lions’ secondary. The Cardinals moved down the field with ease, and once again, the tight end position was off to a good start with a touchdown. Afterward, it was five straight three-and-outs, and secondary coverage was part of the reason. On the sixth drive, defensive back rookie Keith Abney II picked off a pass to end the half.
Yes, the tight ends still had a strong game for Arizona, gathering 14 catches for 138 yards and three touchdowns. The secondary didn’t play perfectly, but they made plays and forced incompletions when it mattered most. It was a step in the right direction, which is what this unit needed. You got to give them props for not folding after that first drive.
After a month of struggles, allowing quarterbacks to have good games against them and offenses to move the ball with ease, the secondary showed up. Changes will be coming with Brian Branch returning soon—and potentially safety Kerby Joseph—so help is on the way. This is a sign things are going in the right direction, and with a bye week to keep tweaking and make it even better, this defense still has time to turn it around.
Cade Mays, please come save the day
Detroit’s offensive line has been average to start the year, but Sunday was its worst look yet. The offense had a forgettable first quarter, but the line allowed three sacks. It’s frustrating to see the Lions’ offensive line struggle, but change is coming. Lions starting center Cade Mays is returning soon, with his practice window opening earlier in the week leading up to the game.
The line cleaned up its act and didn’t allow Goff to be sacked again for the final three quarters, but it still isn’t comfortable to see that happen so quickly. Detroit has a bye week next week, and Lions head coach Dan Campbell thinks he could debut against the Packers. With Mays returning soon, I think we’ll see this offensive line take a positive step forward.
Offense must figure out quick starts
Most of the criticism Detroit has gotten so far this season has been on defense, which is understandable, but that doesn’t mean the offense is perfect. Detroit’s offense continues to start out slow, another three-and-out to start the game, and for the entire first quarter, the Lions had a total of -9 yards on plays with three straight three-and-outs.
If Detroit was playing a tougher opponent, this game could’ve been 21-0 real quick. Remember Week 2? That wasn’t even a month ago, and this offense is still coming out slow and lethargic. The offensive line had a horrible start, having quarterback Jared Goff on his back often, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs had no lanes to run in. Detroit’s offense can’t come out flat and put pressure on the defense out of the gate because Week 2 could be a weekly occurrence, and this team can’t live like that every week.
Gibbs makes history
Gibbs had a slow start on Sunday but finished strong, getting 25 carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns, plus five catches for 56 yards. Gibbs’ first touchdown made history, putting him on the same level as Hall-of-Fame Lions legend Barry Sanders and tying him for the most touchdowns scored in NFL history by a player under 25.
Gibbs would break that record later in the game, and he has a chance to put himself firmly ahead of the pack, as he doesn’t turn 25 until March 2027. Gibbs has had a strong start to his career and remains a big part of this offense. He’s one of the best running backs in the league, and if he is already breaking records set by Sanders, I can only imagine what other records he can break.
Jameson Williams have a day
The 2026 season has been a slow start for Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams. After a strong training camp where he made insane catches, drops have slowed him down early on. He was held to under 50 yards in the first three games before getting over 100 against the Carolina Panthers in Week 4. In Week 5 against the Cardinals, Williams finally found the end zone twice.
Sunday marked Williams’ first-ever multi-touchdown game, and he now has 12+ touchdowns of 35+ yards or more, according to the Detroit Lions. Williams didn’t break 50 yards, but it doesn’t matter when he finds the end zone. This offense has needed more deep shots, and Williams has dropped a few this season. Teams can try to take Williams out of games, but eventually he’ll get his.
