Lions defense is back on track after historically bad start

After Week 4, the Detroit Lions were 2-2, with the worst defense in football and reeling after a 32-26 loss to the Carolina Panthers on "Sunday Night Football." Four weeks later, the Lions won their last three games, and the defense transformed into a formidable unit, helping Detroit keep pace in the race for first place in the NFC North. 

The Lions' defensive resurrection couldn’t have come at a better time for head coach Dan Campbell. After relying on the explosive offense and just scraping by, the Lions needed defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard’s unit to step up when it mattered most. Sheppard’s guys delivered in back-to-back one-score games against division rivals, including their latest victory, a 19-15 nailbiter against the previously undefeated Minnesota Vikings. Now the question is: can this success on the defensive end stay sustainable, or was it just a flash in the pan? 

Sheppard was on the hot seat after Detroit’s 2-2 start. His unit was dead last in yards allowed, dead last in points allowed per game, and surrendered a league-high 41 explosive plays (plays for 20 or more yards).  Since Week 5, however, the Lions have allowed just 17.7 points and 305.7 yards per game, ranking seventh and ninth in the NFL, respectively, over that stretch, according to A to Z Sports.

The reason for the Lions defense's turnaround

The turnaround for the Lions defense shows up in more places than just the box score. Down-to-down Detroit is playing better defense. The Lions have only allowed 17 explosive plays in their last three games, while their third-down conversion rate dropped from 52.8% to 31.6% over the same span. 

One thing that’s remained consistent all year was the defensive line. The Lions racked up 24 sacks in seven games, the third most in the NFL and the second most quarterback pressures. Aidan Hutchinson and DJ Wonnum both have five sacks, making them one of the best pass-rush duos in the league. Defensive tackle Alim McNeill is producing at an elite level as well. McNeill is second among tackles with 30 quarterback pressures and first in sacks with 4.5. 

The secondary, however, made the biggest leap after the Lions' historically bad defensive start. Earlier this season, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard acknowledged that Detroit’s secondary wasn’t complementing its defensive line.

“It’s a disservice what we’ve been doing to you all,” Sheppard said, referring to the defensive line, according to Pride of Detroit.

Since Week 5, Detroit increased its man coverage usage, moving away from the zone-heavy approach that contributed to their early struggles. Brian Branch returning also helped mightily, and in his Week 7 season debut, Branch recorded an interception. Cornerback DJ Reed emerged as one of the most valuable players on the Detroit defense after the defensive adjustments. Alongside Reed and Branch, Roger McCreary helped stabilize the secondary, and both McCreary and Reed have seven breakups. Reed is PFF's 10th best-graded corner through eight weeks. 

The real test for the Detroit Lions now is being able to sustain their recent success over the back half of the season, and their job became a lot harder after Sunday’s win. All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell suffered a frightening neck injury and was carted off the field before being transported to a hospital for further evaluation. His status remains uncertain.

Branch, Wonnum, and Reed were also all on the injury report on Monday. This could potentially leave the Lions without some of their most important defenders heading into Week 9.  

Three wins in a row, while holding offenses in check, prove the Lions found some answers on defense. Although the next couple of weeks will be a litmus test for the Lions to determine if their defense ultimately turned a corner, even if they are banged up