The Detroit Lions didn't have the cleanest defensive performance against the New Orleans Saints, but in the end, there were plenty of positives for the team to hang their hat on heading into Week 2.
While the secondary gave up far too many pass yards and big plays in the second-half, the Lions made life tough on Tyler Shough in the pocket and for the most part held the Saints' ground game in check. Those two variables will be major keys against the Buffalo Bills on the road.
Dealing with Josh Allen is Detroit's next challenge, and it will be an even bigger issue than Shough presented. Not only is Allen a fantastic runner, but he is lethal with his arm, especially when he moves in the pocket. Holding him down is going to be a significant challenge.
Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin understands that there might not be a way to stop Allen per-se, so the Lions have to focus on what they can do internally to slow him down. That means better tackling, and focusing on the tiniest of details in order to avoid the critical busts and breakdowns.
"The big thing for us is just trying to focus on us. He's a great player. He's going to make plays. He's going to do what he does. It's why he's an MVP-caliber player every year. But, it's about us just taking care of the details, communicating, being on the same page, (having) everyone playing as one, doing (our) responsibilities. We like us."
Following responsibility will be the key. The last time the Lions took on Allen in 2024, he carved them up. He threw for 362 yards and a pair of touchdowns while rushing 11 times for 68 yards and two more scores. Obviously, that can't happen again if the Lions want to survive this particular matchup on the road.
While many have pushed the panic button about Detroit's defense, the opportunity will be there to tighten the screws quickly. The Lions can't worry about Allen and the Bills as much as they must focus on their own fundamentals first.
Skyler Gill-Howard knows the key to beating Allen is pocket pressure
One of Detroit's biggest bright spots from Week 1 was the play of the defensive line, and specifically Gill-Howard. The rookie stepped up and was very impressive in the middle of the line, not only pushing the pocket but helping to stop the run.
As Gill-Howard knows, controlling the front is going to be the key against Allen. If he can't see or feel comfortable when moving around, the defense can make it a long day for him in the pocket and achieve some of their biggest goals.
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"We got to apply pressure, especially throughout the middle. He doesn't like that pressure when he sees that. We just got to make him get off his spot. Don't give him a lot of time to sit in that pocket and make his reads, because he was MVP for a reason. I'm excited to play him. I was a big (Patrick) Mahomes guy, so seeing them go at it was super exciting, but now it's time for me to go at him. I'm excited to see what we do as a defensive line."
The Lions have to stay true to their fundamentals, and be disciplined in the secondary. They have to play better complementary football in terms of offense and defense, and the pass rush also has to assist the back end in order to have the best chance at success against a difficult opponent.
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