What a difference a month can make. After a historically bad start to the season, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has helped the defense find their sea legs over the course of the last four weeks. With that said, there is still plenty to improve upon for a unit that has even more to play for with the loss of All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell during their Week 8 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
There were some around the fan base and media who were ready to move on from Sheppard if
things didn’t improve—especially after the loss to the Carolina Panthers where they appeared to be out-schemed from the jump. After some tough conversations as well as some schematic and personnel tweaks, the Lions’ defense is beginning to settle in dating back to their Week 5 whooping of the Arizona Cardinals.
That brings us to today’s Question of the Day:
Do you believe the Lions’ defense has turned a corner?
My answer: Despite a three-game sample size not being the largest to go off of, I do belive this unit has begun to figure things out. It still isn’t perfect, and there are still too many missed assignments for my liking, but you can do a lot with the way the Lions’ front is playing. Their star players up front, like defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and defensive tackle Alim McNeill, are making their presence felt nearly every time the ball is snapped.
Beyond those two, other members of the defensive line like rookie Skyler Gill-Howard and second year defensive tackle Tyleik Williams are playing some really good football. And while there are still things to clean up in the secondary, cornerback D.J. Reed’s play has really leveled out, star defensive back Brian Branch is back in the mix, and the team opened up All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph’s 21-day window last week.
If they can continue to defend the run well and cut down on the blown coverage moments that have plagued them through seven games, I think that will be enough to make them a contender down the stretch. Continue to improve so that you are playing your best, and most sound football in December and into January. When you have an offense like Detroit does, that’s all you really need.
What about you? Do you think the Lions’ defense has turned a corner? Let us know in the comments below.
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