Detroit Lions defense racking up the takeaways
After struggling to create turnovers for the past two years, the Detroit Lions defense is on a tear through the first three games of the new season.
One of the areas the Detroit Lions defense has struggled in recent years is creating turnovers. Last season, the Lions ranked a lowly 28th in total takeaways. Detroit registered a total of 14 turnovers, 10 interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
In 2015, Detroit recorded 18 total takeaways, nine interceptions and nine recovered fumbles. That total ranked them 26th in the NFL.
But through the first three games of the 2017 regular season, things appear to be very different in the Motor City. Already this Lions’ defensive unit has racked up a whopping eight takeaways, seven interceptions and one fumble recovery. At this pace they’ll record nearly 43 takeaways on the year! That’s 11 more turnovers than the past two seasons combined.
"“After struggling so much to generate takeaways last season (14 all year), the Lions lead the NFL after three weeks with eight,” wrote Tim Twentyman on the team’s official website. “Seven of those have been interceptions, which they had just 10 of all last season. Teryl Austin has his players around the football, and when that’s the case, good things typically happen.”"
According to my research, the Baltimore Ravens actually have more takeaways then the Lions this season with 10, but the point stands. Detroit is doing an excellent job of creating turnovers this year, and the fact they should be 3-0 is a testament to their defensive play.
Safety Glover Quin and cornerback Darius Slay have both recorded two interceptions each. Quin actually had a pick-six in Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons that helped keep that game close. The 31-year old veteran also leads the team with 15 solo tackles. Both players are early Pro Bowl candidates.
Next: Detroit Lions safety Glover Quin is one of the best
Linebacker Tahir Whitehead plus safeties Tavon Wilson and Miles Killebrew have all recorded interceptions this season. Rookie linebacker Jarrad Davis has the team’s lone fumble recovery.