The Detroit Lions may feel like they’re stuck in the mud after four weeks, but the underlying numbers say they’re not buried yet.
Their overall DVOA sits at -1.0%, which ranks 16th in the NFL and actually drops them two spots from where they were after Week 3, according to Aaron Schatz at FTN. That’s not the kind of number that screams complete collapse. It’s more of a reminder that the season is still salvageable, even with some obvious problems staring them in the face.
The split tells the story. Detroit’s offensive DVOA is 12.3%, good for eighth in the league, while the defense is sitting at 16.2%, which ranks 30th. The Lions have enough firepower on offense to keep themselves afloat, but the defense - especially the secondary - is dragging hard.
That offense has been productive without a true breakout stretch, which is why there’s reason for at least a little optimism. The run game hasn’t been clean.
Detroit’s run-blocking success rate is only 72%, ranking 22nd in the NFL. Even so, Jared Goff and the group of weapons around him have kept the unit moving.
Jahmyr Gibbs has still piled up 353 rushing yards despite those issues up front. His heavy workload has helped cover for the blocking problems, and it’s fair to wonder how much more dangerous he could be if the line were winning more consistently in the run game the way it already does in pass protection.
The defensive side is where the alarm bells are louder. Being 30th in DVOA through four games leaves very little room for comfort, and the sense around the team is that the breakdowns are tied to players not carrying out their assignments. That’s a troubling place to be this deep into the season.
Still, if the issue really is communication and cohesion, there’s at least a path forward. The Lions could try changing the mix in Week 5, maybe leaning more on man coverage after continuing to struggle with zone looks.
The catch is personnel. A lot of their cornerbacks are built for Kelvin Sheppard’s system, not necessarily an older Aaron Glenn-type approach.
Even so, Detroit may need to be more aggressive about finding answers. That could mean a trade, or it could mean putting more trust in Ennis Rakestraw Jr. The one thing that seems clear is that the Lions can’t just sit back and wait for Brian Branch to return while hoping the secondary fixes itself.
In Other News...
Darius Slay Just Said What Lions Fans Fear About This Secondary
Darius Slay has never been shy about giving his old team an honest evaluation, and his latest comments land at a time when the Lions are still trying to steady a defense that has drawn plenty of scrutiny. The former Detroit cornerback pointed to Carlton Davis as the player he thought fit best in the scheme and said letting him leave in free agency was the clubs biggest recent misstep, a remark that will sound familiar to anyone who has watched the secondary struggle to find consistency.
Slay also took aim at the broader direction of the defense under Kelvin Sheppard, suggesting the issues in the back end go beyond one departure and reflect a need for a different philosophy. He did leave open a sliver of intrigue about his own future, saying he might entertain a return for the right offer, though he made clear he is comfortable with life after football for now. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Pass Defense Problem Could Force A Trade Fans Didn't Expect
Through the first month of the season, the Lions pass defense has been one of the clearest pressure points on the roster, and it has already pushed the front office into the trade market. Detroit has talked with other teams about cornerback Joey Porter Jr., but the search for help could widen if the right deal materializes. One name floating into the conversation is Philadelphia cornerback Riq Woolen, a player with the kind of tools that can change the feel of a secondary in a hurry.
Woolens contract situation and past performance make him an intriguing fit for a team trying to shore up the back end without overcommitting long term. Philadelphias recent roster changes, including the retirement of Lane Johnson and the trade of Cam Jurgens, have also fueled the idea that the Eagles could be willing to keep moving pieces to stockpile future draft capital. For the Lions, the question is whether a move like that is realistic, and whether solving the pass-defense issue will require a swing more aggressive than the one fans expected. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Secondary Problem Is Fueling A Trade Fans Will Want
The Lions search for help in the back end keeps circling back to the trade market, and Kristian Fulton has become one of the more interesting names attached to it. Detroit has already come up short on other cornerback targets, including Joey Porter Jr., which has only sharpened the focus on a defense that could use more stability on the outside. Fultons situation in Kansas City makes him a logical candidate to watch, especially with the kind of midseason deal that can sometimes benefit both teams.
Jeremy Fowler reported that Fulton is not currently a full-time starter for the Chiefs, and that matters for a Detroit team looking for a player who can step in without forcing a massive overhaul. A trade could come together if the teams are willing to split his salary, which gives the Lions a possible path forward if they decide to keep pressing for help. For a secondary still trying to find the right fit, this is the sort of move that can gain momentum quickly if the price is right. [Read more 🡒]