The Detroit Lions’ defense is at a crossroads, and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard isn’t sugarcoating it. While head coach Dan Campbell recently downplayed the lack of pressure in their Thanksgiving Day loss to the Packers, Sheppard took a much more direct approach on Monday, making it clear the Lions’ pass rush hasn’t been nearly disruptive enough-and that starts with him.
“I don’t think we’ve affected the quarterback to play any style these last couple of weeks,” Sheppard said. “I don’t care what kind of style we want to play.”
That’s not just coach-speak-it’s a hard truth. The Lions haven’t made opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable, and in this league, that’s a recipe for disaster.
Over the last four games, Detroit has managed just four sacks. Only two teams in the NFL have fewer in that stretch.
Even more concerning? Just 2.5 of those have come from the defensive line.
For a unit that prides itself on physicality and aggression, that’s not going to cut it. And the numbers back it up: Detroit is allowing the longest average time to throw in the league at 2.99 seconds.
That’s an eternity in NFL terms.
Sheppard isn’t pointing fingers-at least, not just at the players. He’s owning his role in the struggles, acknowledging that it’s on him to scheme better and put his guys in position to succeed.
“I’ve got to find ways to try to maximize what we do have to our disposal and put these guys in optimal position to be able to win, give them tools to win,” he said.
That means everything’s on the table: personnel changes, new looks, different blitz packages-you name it. But Sheppard also knows that, come December, it’s about more than just Xs and Os. It’s about players stepping up and making plays.
“There’s things that we’re going to switch up a little bit by personnel, by schematically,” he said. “But at the end of the day, you’re starting to get into November, December-players make plays.”
Aidan Hutchinson, the face of the Lions’ pass rush, has come under some scrutiny lately. After racking up 7.0 sacks in his first eight games, he’s managed just 1.5 over the last four. But Sheppard isn’t wavering in his belief in Hutchinson’s talent or effort.
“He knows just like we know, people are going to plan for him. That’s why he is one of the best,” Sheppard said.
“But it isn’t a one-man show. Other people have to win.”
That’s the theme here-Hutchinson can’t do it alone. The Lions need more from the supporting cast.
Alim McNeill, for instance, had a strong showing against Green Bay, creating pressure from the interior. But two guys can’t carry the load for an entire defensive front.
In today’s NFL, if you draw a one-on-one, you’ve got to win. Period.
“When your name is called, if you draw a one-on-one, you have to win in this league if you want to be around,” Sheppard said. “And it’s just simple as that.”
Interestingly, the Lions are actually generating pressure at a high rate-38.7%, good for fifth in the league, according to NFL Pro. But the issue isn’t quantity-it’s quality.
The pressure isn’t arriving fast enough to disrupt throws or force mistakes. And “almost” isn’t going to cut it in December.
“It’s a lot of too close, almost happening still in November going into now December where that absolutely won’t be tolerated,” Sheppard said. “Being close isn’t good enough.”
And now, here comes the real test. The Lions are staring down a matchup with one of the NFL’s most efficient passing attacks: the Dallas Cowboys.
They lead the league in passing yards per game (271.3), rank fifth in EPA per pass (+0.14), and have allowed the second-lowest sack rate in the league (3.7%). That’s elite territory.
Oh, and they’re doing it with one of the top receiving duos in football: CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. The Cowboys don’t just throw it well-they scheme it smart. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has done a masterful job of keeping defenses honest by spreading his weapons across the field.
“They do a really good job keeping them apart as well,” Sheppard said. “And what I mean by that is on opposite sides, which means you have to cover the whole field.
You rarely see them together and that’s good. Schotty’s doing an outstanding job.
They have some of the top personnel in the league.”
For the Lions, this week is more than just another game. It’s a measuring stick.
Can they fix the leaks in the pass rush? Can they turn pressure into production?
Can they rise to the moment against one of the league’s best?
We’re about to find out. December football doesn’t leave much room for “almost.”