If you are like me, when you bring to mind the Detroit Lions you visualize their explosive offense triggered by quarterback Jared Goff and a stable of talented weapons.
What may not come first to mind, but deserves consideration, is that the Lions defense is a sieve. Two years ago, the Lions were arguably the best team in football. Fourth-year head coach Dan Campbell had guided the long-suffering franchise to the NFC Championship Game in 2023 and earned home field advantage with the best record in the National Football Conference the following season.
He was innovative in his aggressive approach that seemed to take advantage of four downs for his potent offense while most teams were taking three downs and short of a first down punted. Campbell gained full support from his players who relished the coaches confidence in going for it more often than any team in the National Football League.
Before long, more teams were adopting Campbell’s approach to using all four downs to score or get a first down. Once it became more popular, it seemed to lose its edge. Last year, the Lions “go for it” approach caused more problems than it was worth and led to a campaign that fell short of the playoffs. The downfall really began when despite home field advantage for the ‘24 playoffs the Lions were eliminated in their only postseason game, a home loss to the exciting Washington Commanders and their dynamic rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels.
Yes, the Lions still have an offense capable of putting up more than 30 points every week, but they also have a defense that has allowed 95 points in their first three games this season. In other words, they can tally a lot and still get clipped on the scoreboard.
Tonight, they meet a Carolina Panthers team on the road to complete the Sunday Week Four NFL schedule. The Panthers are at the beginning of their rise to prominence, earning a playoff berth last year and seeing first overall draft choice Bryce Young emerge from what appeared to be a monumental bust to a competent franchise quarterback.