Through two games, the Detroit Lions defense is having a moment - and I mean that in the most derogatory sense of the word.
Since shutting out the New Orleans Saints in the first half of their Week 1 contest, they've allowed:
- 71 points total (2nd worst)
- An average of 35.5 points per game (2nd worst)
- 310.5 net passing yards per game (2nd worst)
- 476.0 total yards on offense per game (2nd worst)
- 26 total explosive plays
They look unable to stop a nose bleed right now, and it doesn't feel like much relief is headed their way with yet another injury to a starter, and no word on when Brian Branch or Kerby Joseph will be back. As for Joseph, well, he might not come back at all.
Looking over at one of the Lions' divisional rivals, the Minnesota Vikings, you'll see an entirely different picture on defense. Brian Flores, their vaunted defensive coordinator, has done wonders for their front seven and secondary, creating one of the best defensive units in the NFL once again.
As The Athletic's Alec Lewis so aptly put it after the Vikings completely shut down the Chicago Bears in Week 2:
"Chicago entered this year with continuity, in Williams’ second season quarterbacking Johnson’s system. The Vikings arrived with a remade defensive line...As each quarter passed, though, it felt more and more like Minnesota’s defense found a way to wield the elements to its advantage."
Flores making something out of remade defensive line putting Lions to shame
It's not all about Flores' proficiency as a play-caller, although that's evident from Minnesota's start defensively this season. The fact that he's been able to get the absolute most out of a bit of a rag-tag defensive line feels like the real story.
Minnesota is spending $94.9 million this season for their defense - that's seventh-lowest in the NFL. And yet, the Vikings have managed to defeat both the Green Bay Packers and Bears with stout pass rush and run stopping, and managed to look one of the league's best offenses look like they were back at square run in the Ben Johnson era.
READ MORE: Early returns on Mike McDaniel show the Lions made the right call
This dispels some of the notion around the Lions' lack of health on defense, and specifically on their D-line. The secondary has gotten a lot of understandable flack, but the Lions' front line was silenced by the Buffalo Bills. Were they likely exhausted after a short week and after an abnormally high number of snaps on a short week? Yes. But, the Bills were coming off a short week, as well, and their O-line still managed to shut the Lions down.
It doesn't feel possible for Detroit to turn their defense around entirely as Joseph is likely out this season, Branch still hasn't returned to practice, and their defensive line - despite being fully healthy - hasn't started dominating yet. The teams' $122 million payroll on defense is looking more overvalued as Minnesota manages to make something out of far less.
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