The Detroit Lions are 2-2 to start their season, and they’re near the bottom of the NFC North. If they’re going to make it to the postseason, they’re going to have to turn things around, and it starts on defense.
Just look at the numbers. The Lions defense is definitely having a rough patch and is at the bottom of the NFL in several key 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 near the bottom of the NFL. They also had major issues against the pass, ranking 31st or 32nd in passing yards allowed per game.
Kelvin Sheppard says the Lions defense needs to change
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard says things need to change. Now. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he talked about the team’s struggles.
“There needs 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, something has to change. Coming out of training camp, it’s a long way from where we thought we were and should be, and I still do, standing here in front of 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 feel like we’re on this wall right now…”
He also said it’s “ultra-disrespectful” to say the offense is carrying the defense right now, according to NBC Sports. But, with those defensive numbers, it’s hard not to say that the defense needs a lot of work.