Roundtable: How Lions Kelvin Sheppard Can Rebound

The Detroit Lions OnSI staff recaps the Lions' Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

1. What happened to the Lions’ defense against the Bills?

Christian Booher: I think it was a perfect storm that the Lions walked into Thursday night. The energy appeared to be off the charts with the opening of the Bills' new stadium, and Josh Allen was the best version of himself. Additionally, the Lions had their own self-inflicted errors that would be difficult for any team to overcome with their array of miscommunications in the secondary as well as penalties on the offensive side.

In the days that have passed, it's been easier to process the fact that the Lions played well offensively aside from the struggles early in the game. However, they did not have a chance due to the fact that their defense played so poorly throughout the night.

Vito Chirco: The Lions’ secondary issues – and defensive woes as a whole - reared their ugly head (and in the worst way imaginable). It was an inexcusable performance from Kelvin Sheppard's unit, and one that needs to be erased from the memory bank immediately. If the struggles persist, Dan Campbell's squad will be in for a long season and fall far short of their lofty, Super Bowl-or-bust expectations.

2. Will Kelvin Sheppard rebound from a really bad game plan and the defense looking inept?

Booher: I think Sheppard should be on the hot seat due to the way the team has started the season. I don't think the Lions should be rash and fire him at this stage, but there should be some urgency to improve and do so quickly. Detroit has three winnable games with a chance to enter the bye week on a big-time high note, but with the defense playing this way could make it difficult.

I also think some blame should be cast on general manager Brad Holmes for the offseason they've had. Detroit's free agency additions have not had promising returns through two games, and while there's still plenty of time to turn it around, there's some pressure mounting.

Chirco: At this juncture, I'm concerned that he won't. Throughout his entire tenure as Lions defensive coordinator, he's struggled with making proper adjustments and play calls. And I just don't know if he's got the right scheme for this current batch of Lions talent. Subsequently, I could see the team's defensive issues lingering throughout the course of the season.

3. Are you concerned about linebacker Jack Campbell?

Booher: I'm not concerned about Jack Campbell. He's steadily improved throughout his first three seasons, and while he's struggled out of the gate I think he's a supremely focused player and will be eager to improve on his tough showing against the Bills.

Campbell is a leader of the Lions' defense, and deserved the extension he got this offseason. While he still has some room to grow, I think Campbell will ultimately return to form and be a big part of the team's success this season.

Chirco: Although it was just one game, I am. Based on Campbell's PFF grade for the week, it was the second-worst performance of his career (and one he'd like to forget real quick). James Cook ran all over Campbell and Detroit's linebacker unit, and Campbell & Co. had no answer all night for Cook and the Bills’ entire offense. The Pro Bowl linebacker was seemingly a step or two slow throughout the entirety of the contest, and did not look anything like his typical self. He needs to rebound in the worst way headed into the Lions’ Week 3 contest with the Jets.