Detroit Lions Stock Report: Weeks 10-11

Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Up: Teryl Austin

The second year defensive coordinator has been under fire lately after his once elite defense not only faltered, but fell flat on their face this season.  There were a lot of mitigating factors, but even with them you wouldn’t expect the kind of drop off the Detroit Lions have been dealing with.  Teams at one point were completing more than 70% of their passes against Detroit, and they couldn’t stop a run to save their lives.

The past two weeks, however, we’ve seen Austin’s banged up defense take on one of the best quarterbacks in the league and make him look pedestrian.  They faced one of the best offenses in the NFL and held them to their lowest yardage total of the season.  The league’s rookie receiving leader, who up to this week had caught a minimum of 4 passes per game, was held to a single catch for only 4 yards, and it was on a screen.

More from SideLion Report

• Top 5 revenge games on the Detroit Lions 2023 schedule
• Lions center Frank Ragnow optimistic about continuing to play through toe injury
• Detroit Lions 2023 preseason schedule: Dates, times and opponents
• A new contract extension projection for Lions quarterback Jared Goff
• 4 wide receivers the Detroit Lions could still look to acquire this offseason

Teryl Austin interviewed for six head coaching positions in the 2015 offseason, and it was said the only reason he wasn’t hired was because of his coordinator choices.  His stock took a hit due to the start of the season, but turning this defense around the way he has with the general lack of talent he’s had to deal with is pretty amazing and got him back on the map.  He’s starting a 2nd year 4th round pick at one corner spot and a 6th round rookie at nickel, he’s benched his starting SS, and his defense is playing lights out.

Next: Not His First Time On This List