I heard this cherry-picked stat from an ESPN talking head and double-checked: it turns out to be slightly false, as Titans are #32 and the Lions are #31 in defensive EPA/play since Week 7.
The Titans are a bad team and are 1-3 in that stretch.
The Lions are a good team and are 3-1 in that stretch.
The Lions were #7 in defensive EPA/play from Week 1-6 before the Baltimore debacle. At just past the mid-way point of the season, our defense must return to that average/good level to finish the season and into the playoffs. With James Houston and CJGJ not likely to return until late December (at the very best), what do y’all think are the biggest factors in improving the defense?
For reference, the 2022 Detroit Lions started Weeks 1-10 at #32 in defensive EPA/play and improved Weeks 11-18 to #21 defensive EPA/play.
This is why I have said we are a 1 and done team in the playoffs. I don’t think it matters what seed we get because the moment we face a good QB it’s over. We can’t generate pressure so they can pick us apart. Unless the offense is playing lights out we are in for a long day.
This has been the formula to beat us. Get a few stops in the first half, get us playing from behind, and we’re not going to be able to catch up. The Bears are going to be picking in the top 10, possibly even top 5 this year (even without the pick from the Panthers). Needing a miracle comeback to beat them at home is a very, very bad sign.
AG needs to go. The offense is covering up for the horror that is our defense. Also, Hutch really isn’t the difference maker we need him to be as the #2 pick. He plays hard but he just doesn’t get home often enough. Remember how we were so certain that he was better than Thibs? Guess who has 10.5 sacks right now and who has 5.5. Thibs is playing on an even worse dline. He doesn’t need help from the other side to get home, which is the excuse I keep hearing for Hutch.