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Lions playing more zone coverage

With the vast number of injuries to the secondary, the Lions have played more zone coverage.

The team always wants to play a heavy amount of man-to-man, but different players have been shuffled into the lineup.

With Baker Mayfield being able to pick apart zone coverages, the team may have to make some adjustents this week. Patrick Mahomes was able to find success and open receivers with the Lions adapting their coverage looks.

Dan Campbell was asked prior to practice on Thursday how he thinks the defense has adjusted to playing more zone coverage and blitzing less the last couple of weeks.

"I think we’ve adjusted well (to playing less man-to-man and more zone.) You do what you’ve got to do per opponent and where you’re at, too," said Campbell. "So, we felt like going into the last two games where we were at, that was the right thing to do, for the most part. But every game’s different, and you always assess and decide how you’re going to play that game.

“Just because it’s been that way a tick more, doesn’t mean it’s staying that way," Campell explained further. "It’s always going to be that fine balance between, all right, you play a ton of zone, well then they pick you apart and they bleed you out. But, then, if you play too much man-to-man, are you setting yourself up for explosives?”