The Lions didn’t make a splash at cornerback before the trade deadline, and that decision puts even more attention on the players already in the room. For Detroit, the message was clear: they like their guys.
That’s a phrase general manager Brad Holmes has used, and head coach Dan Campbell has said it too. In this case, the confidence isn’t coming out of nowhere. Detroit’s defense has been on a strong run lately, holding opponents under 20 points from Week 7-9, and a big part of that stretch has been the team leaning much more heavily on man coverage instead of zone.
That shift has put the spotlight on Khalil Dorsey and Keith Abney II, two corners who have become increasingly important in the Lions’ rotation. Their role has been especially notable in the most important moments, with defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard using both of them in a rotating package on third- and fourth-down snaps.
Detroit is asking them to handle the clutch stuff, and so far they’ve answered. Dorsey has posted a 75.3 coverage grade this season, while Abney has already had several chances at interceptions and has come away with one. Abney has also filled in well as a backup safety while the Lions work Brian Branch back into the rotation consistently.
It’s been a patchwork approach, building a workable secondary by mixing pieces rather than depending on one clear-cut CB2 alongside D.J. Reed. Right now, that formula is producing results.
Still, the recent numbers may flatter the defense a bit. The Lions have just held the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Miami Dolphins under 20 points, but each of those games came with its own caveat: Green Bay was dealing with a pile of offensive line injuries, Minnesota didn’t have good quarterback play, and Miami is tanking.
None of that erases what Detroit did on those Sundays. But it does make the next stretch look a lot more revealing, with the New England Patriots coming this week and the Chicago Bears waiting on Thanksgiving in Week 12.
So while the Lions didn’t chase a corner at the deadline, the current run on defense may have helped convince the front office that things would be fine overall. Whether that holds up is a different question. For now, though, Dorsey and Abney look like two of the biggest winners from Detroit’s quiet deadline.
In Other News...
Lions Enter Munich With One Clear Edge In A Shorthanded Fight
The trip to Munich arrives with both Detroit and New England trying to manage the kind of injury list that can change a game plan before the opening kickoff. The Patriots are missing cornerback Carlton Davis III and left guard Ben Brown, and they may also be without running back Rhamondre Stevenson, while the Lions head overseas without linebacker Jack Campbell, center Cade Mays, cornerback D.J. Reed and safety Kerby Joseph.
Even with those absences, Detroit still carries what looks like the cleaner edge into Week 10, especially in a matchup that could hinge on which side handles the shorthanded conditions better. The Lions have been more stable in recent weeks, and with both teams forced to adjust on the fly, the margin may come down to which roster can absorb the losses without losing its identity in an unfamiliar setting. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Offense Is About To Test A Patriots Weakness
Jared Goffs practice week has been worth watching as the Lions get ready to meet the Patriots in Munich, but the quarterback is still expected to be available. That matters because Detroits offense comes into the matchup with real punch, led by Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown, and it is the kind of unit that can force a defense to answer early and often.
For New England, the trip overseas adds another layer to a game already carrying pressure after a rough defensive showing last time out. The Patriots are trying to tighten things up after allowing 45 points in their previous game, and now they draw a Detroit attack that has enough speed and playmaking to expose any lingering issues. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Rookie Pass Rush Gets Another Big Test Against New England
The Lions defense has started to look more like the group Detroit expected, with the last four weeks bringing a noticeable step forward and the Miami Dolphins game standing out as the clearest example. Aidan Hutchinson has continued to anchor the front, and the overall pass rush has been a big reason the unit has tightened up after an uneven start.
Derrick Moore has become part of that conversation after flashing the kind of disruption the Lions have been waiting for from the rookie. He is heading into the New England matchup with a chance to build on that momentum, and coach Dan Campbell has made it clear the next step is seeing Moore turn those early signs into more consistent impact as his reps keep climbing. [Read more 🡒]