The Detroit Lions head into Week 5 with a road trip that looks manageable on paper, but the Arizona Cardinals still bring enough problems to make this one worth watching closely.
Arizona has dropped three straight since opening the year with a win over the L.A. Chargers.
Since then, the Cardinals have fallen to the Seattle Seahawks, the San Francisco 49ers and most recently the N.Y. Giants.
The bigger issue has been the defense, which has given up at least 31 points in each of those losses and 36 points in back-to-back weeks.
That’s not exactly a comforting matchup for Detroit, either. The Lions enter the game ranked second-to-last in points allowed per game at 31.8, while Arizona sits 29th at 29.3. Both defenses have been leaking points, and that sets up a game where either offense could get rolling if the other side misses tackles or loses leverage.
Arizona does have one clear defensive anchor in Budda Baker. The eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro just turned in a strong outing against the Giants, finishing with an interception, two passes defensed and five total tackles. Detroit offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will have to keep Baker in mind all week when putting together the plan.
The Cardinals’ offense has some firepower, too, even if the production hasn’t fully matched the talent yet. Nathaniel Hackett’s group is averaging 21.8 points per game, but it has multiple players who can stress a defense. Running back Jeremiyah Love, tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Michael Wilson give veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett options to work with.
Love is dealing with an ankle issue, though he is still expected to play in Week 5. McBride and Wilson remain the main targets in Arizona’s passing game, and both could pose problems for Detroit’s injury-depleted secondary.
Wilson is coming off consecutive games with at least seven catches and 89 yards, and he and McBride will be major tests for the Lions’ cornerbacks, with D.J. Reed leading that group.
Reed’s start to the 2026 season has been underwhelming. He has a 59.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus and a 57.5 coverage mark, which ranks 57th among 103 qualified cornerbacks.
Even with those concerns, Dan Campbell’s team should have a path to a win. It just doesn’t look like an easy one, which is why the Lions are only given a 53 percent chance to come away with the Week 5 victory.
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