Detroit Lions: Winning will be hard until Lions achieve balance

The Lions need defensive stops

Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have been on the same page with how they want to build the Detroit Lions. They want a physical team that can run the ball, still be explosive in the passing game, and play hard-hitting championship defense.

They are still several pieces shy of reaching that goal yet. However, the emphasis on the trenches was a good starting point.

Last year the Lions had some pieces to work with on the offensive line and after using their top selection in the draft on tackle Penei Sewell, there were visions of the line becoming a strength.

Even with an injury to left tackle Taylor Decker, the line has played well in both of their regular-season games so far. The Lions may be winless, but their offensive line has played well enough to win.

When the Lions have run the ball they have been productive and it has even allowed the passing game to shine as well. Basically, the offensive line has paved the way to offensive success.

On the defensive side of the ball, there was an infusion through the draft and the trade for Michael Brockers making the defensive line easily the brightest spot in an otherwise dismal defense.

While the defensive line didn’t shine especially bright in the opener, it played well against the Packers on Monday night. Unfortunately, the linebackers didn’t.

The cornerbacks are very young and the safeties have been inconsistent so far making the secondary play hazardous.

What all of this has resulted in is the inability to get the balance the Lions need to win. You might be wondering what this balance is that I keep mentioning. The answer to that is simple; the ability of the defense to play at a competitive enough level to allow the offense to stay the course of their game plan and run the ball. These Lions just aren’t good enough to overcome adversity yet.

With a few more defensive stops, the offense would be able to continue to force opposing defenses to play the run instead of pinning their ears back to rush Jared Goff when the offense has become one-dimensional due to having to play to catch up.