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For what it’s worth: Encouraging Detroit Lions Preseason stats

By Mike Payton

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Defense

Aug 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) fumbles the ball after being hit by Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) and Lions defensive end Tyrunn Walker (93) in the first quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

When Ndamukong Suh decided to take his talents to South beach during the offseason, Lions fans felt like they had their soul sucked out of them by a vampire. As any Green Bay Packers fan will let you know, the Lions defense is expected to take a major step back. In 2014 it was also made clear by Green Bay Packers fans that the defense wasn’t very good then too.

Rank PPG Points allowed YPG Pen Pen Yards 3d%
12th 12.8 51 294.5 40 296 36.00%

The Lions defense looked like it could be something special from the word go in 2014. Of course as we all know, the Lions defense did in fact go on to become something special as they finished second in the NFL in total defense and boasted the ninth best rushing defense in NFL history. Surely the Lions defense cannot live up to this after the loss of Suh and giving Nick Fairley his walking papers. I dread to see how badly this defense looks in the stats column.Here we go.

Rank PPG Points allowed YPG Pen Pen Yards 3d%
12th 13.7 41 285.3 20 141 57.00%

Wait a second, how could this be? The Lions lost Suh and were getting “blown out” by Jacksonville. In all seriousness, the Lions defense looks way better than expected. In some degrees, it actually looks better. The biggest stat that surprised me is the Lions defense has committed 20 less penalties than it did in the 2014 preseason. 40 penalties will give anyone red eyes. Also impressive is that the Lions have only allowed an average of 13.7 points per game. Even more impressive than that, the Lions defense has done this without Haloti Ngata, Jason Jones and Caraun Reid. You’re not in the Twilight Zone Lions fans, this defense looks pretty good. But it’s only preseason.

Mike Payton is an Editor at SideLion Report. He is from Holland, Michigan by way of Warren, Michigan. He considers himself to be obsessed with the Detroit Lions. Mike’s work has been featured on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, CBS Sports Radio and si.com. Mike is also a recurring guest on It is what is with Sean Baligian on ESPN 96.1. Follow Mike Payton on Twitter @SLR_Mike

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