Detroit Lions defense
The main problem is that the Detroit Lions defense gives up too many points. Not to steal lines from John Madden, but if you give up more points than you can score, you’re going to lose a lot of games. Some of the points can be attributed to the struggling offense and the turnovers. That’s certainly doesn’t account for all of the problems, though.
The Lions are dead last in stopping the run, too; the 179.5 yards per game at a 5.6 yards per game average will get you there. All-Pro caliber end, Ziggy Ansah, has also been missing. Ansah is the second best player on the defense behind Darius Slay, who also missed parts of two games himself.
If you watch the defense, it sure seems like they are missing a few players. At all levels the Lions have holes; the line, the linebackers, and the secondary all need help.
After Darius Slay, the secondary doesn’t seem to have one consistent cornerback.
Devon Kennard is easily the best linebacker; while Jarrad Davis has potential in his second year, he is far from a finished product.
Ziggy Ansah, when healthy, is as athletic and dangerous as any end in the NFL, but that’s the rub, he isn’t healthy often enough. A’Shawn Robinson, the former second-round pick at tackle, didn’t dress for game one; he had a better Game 2, though. Up front is the area where the Lions need the most help.
On the “silver lining” side, rookie defensive end, Da’Shawn Hand has looked good so far. As has Quandre Diggs at strong safety. The silver linings have been too few, though.
Outlook
There is little room for error if the Lions are going to make any noise in Matt Patricia’s first year. The team underachieved throughout the preseason, has looked like a fourth-place team, and has the New England Patriots as an opponent to contend with this weekend. Not exactly what we hoped for coming into Week 3.
We are Detroit Lions fans, though. Who knows, maybe they’ll unexpectedly win this game? That would be like them; lose to bad teams, and then all of a sudden win one that looked out of reach.
Kick in the Crotch Weekly will hope for a better game, but not bet our whole bank account on any outcome. Just like the weather in Detroit, things can change in an instant. Plus, we have to keep a little to pay the shrink. Here’s to the day when our fandom will be rewarded with a Lombardi! Let’s just not hold our breaths, because it doesn’t look like we’ll be hoisting any trophies this year. KITCW, signing off.
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