Lions ready to make major change happen, defensive coordinator says

The Detroit Lions are 2-2 to start their season, and they're nearing the bottom of the NFC North. If they're going to make it to the postseason, they'll have to turn things around, and it starts with the defense.

Just look at the numbers. The Lions' defense is certainly having a rough patch and is toward the bottom of the NFL in several major categories. The team is allowing 31.8 points per game, which ranks 31st in the league. Detroit's 423.8 yards allowed per game puts the defense toward the very bottom of the NFL. They've also had big issues against the pass, ranking 31st or 32nd in passing yards allowed per game.

Kelvin Sheppard says the Lions' defense has to change

Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard says things have to change. Now. Speaking with reporters on Thursday, he talked about the team's struggles.

"There has to be real change," Sheppard said, according to NBC Sports. "There has to be real evidence of change, whether that's personnel-driven, whether that's some things — whatever the case is, something has to change. Because coming out of training camp, this is far from where we thought we would be at and should be at, and I still do, standing here before you after a four-game sample size."

He added, "So these things will get corrected. But within doing all that, during doom and gloom, it's easy to point at everybody, but also within this, 'Let's go. Let's go.' Because I do feel like we're right there at this wall right now..."

He also said it was "ultra-disrespectful" to say the offense is carrying the defense right now, per NBC Sports. But, with those defensive numbers, it's hard not to say that the defense needs major work.