Can the Detroit Lions ever conquer their consistent inconsistency?

While the offense has not been clicking on all cylinders, it has all the weapons it needs to be successful. A franchise quarterback, a solid offensive line, multiple running backs that can contribute including a budding star and perhaps the best receiving trio in the NFL.

Obviously, more production from the tight end position would be helpful, but let’s be honest; this team is still good enough to run the ball effectively and be dangerous passing even with that shortcoming.

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They have made progress and should continue to, but let’s be honest; with just a decent defensive showing in San Francisco and Dallas, this team would be 3-1.

So while the whole team should take responsibility for their poor record so far, it is without question the defense which has let this team down. I’m sure Matt Patricia has probably forgotten more about coaching defense than his current players seem to know about playing it. And their inability to play with the discipline to ‘just do their job’ combined with lack of talent to play this system has cost them much already.

Matt Patricia was considered the great hope every Lions fans has been looking for. His championship lineage combined his inherent intelligence and success at plying his trade defensively in New England just had to mean he was going to combine with Bob Quinn and create the long-awaited Lion dynasty.

Together they would part the green and purple and navy blue seas of the NFC North to lead the Lions to the promised land. To that long-awaited redemption Lions fans have craved; to see this team hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

They may still accomplish that goal, but we as fans need to understand that this team as it is currently constructed on defense is not ready to challenge for a title. Those woeful inconsistencies we all prayed would be gone are still a grim reality.

There is much, much work that needs to be done with this team before it will be ready to play the type of defense it takes to win a division title or in the playoffs or especially the Super Bowl.

No one should have expected they would win it all this season. The playoffs and even a win in the playoffs were considered reasonable goals, but anyone who has watched these Lions play defense should know right now that until the cavalry arrives next offseason when the Lions will be investing heavily into finding defensive answers, they aren’t going very far.

Because defense wins championships and this defense has proven already they aren’t capable of winning anything.