2006 colts season is eerily similar to the Lions so far… Colts started hot and the defense was good for the first third of the season. Once Sanders went out, colts defense was atrocious. Historically bad defense, to the point they ended as the worst rush defense and bottom 10 pass defense. 350+ yards rushing given up to the Jags two games before the playoffs started.
Colts won the division after looking like pretenders second half of the season in the medias eyes - once sanders came back, defense dominated. Held the chiefs to 40 yards rushing, only 6 points given up the the Ravens.
Could CJGJ be the catalyst the Lions need come playoff time to get this defense back on track when it matters most?
No
Bob Sanders was one of the best safeties of his generation. He was as good as Ed Reed and Troy Polumalu, but (like Mike Brown of the Bears) couldn’t stay on the field.
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson has never even been the best player in his own backfield