After a tough start to the year, the Detroit Lions have finally found some long-awaited defensive momentum coming out of Week 9. A strong road performance against the Miami Dolphins shows things have finally flipped in the right direction.
The challenge doesn't get any lighter, though, in the form of the New England Patriots. Last year's Super Bowl finalist from the AFC has struggled this season in many ways, but still represents a stiff challenge in plenty of different ways.
Defensively, the Lions should feel as if they have a chance to have another productive game. The last four weeks, Detroit has turned things around in a big way from the historically bad defense they fielded in the first few games of the season. Suddenly, they are more active and playing with confidence.
When the Patriots have the ball offensively, the Lions should be able to take advantage. This season hasn't been a thing of beauty for New England. Not only are they potentially down Tre'Veon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson, but their offensive front has struggled, allowing 20 sacks this year. That in turn has hurt the passing attack given their 11 interceptions.
Detroit's defensive line is playing very well, led by Aidan Hutchinson, Tyleik Williams, a resurgent Alim McNeill and a pair of rookies in Derrick Moore and Skyler Gill-Howard. Given the way this group has taken over games lately, it wouldn't be a shock to see them get that done again versus the Patriots.
Even though Detroit's secondary has still struggled at times, the defensive line has played an integral role in the turnaround. When the front is more aggressive, the secondary has had the freedom to mix better coverages and ball hawk. Eliminating the New England ground game could only help the backfield have a better experience in this game.
Moore hopes his patience pays off with even more big plays soon
While all of Detroit's rookies have been impressive this season in their own way, it seems like there is one player that could hold the key for the defense in the second-half. That's none other than Moore, who finally came on strong with a two sack performance in Miami.
It has taken some time for Moore to adjust to the NFL and bank his experience, but he was a menace against the Dolphins, not only collecting his first career sacks but pressuring the pocket well most of the afternoon. Even though he missed on another sack, he cited that experience as a tool he used to help in his strong finish on the afternoon.
"Going back into somewhere in the second-quarter where I missed missed Malik (Willis) the first time, I went back on the sideline (and) I told myself 'Stay calm.' I feel like a lot of the guys also told me to stay calm (and) be patient. 'It's going to come, (your opportunity is) going to come again. When it comes, you got to finish that time.' It came back twice. I'm just thankful for the (veteran) guys to be somebody that I can lean on and just talk me through things."
READ MORE: NFC North QB rankings, Week 10: Jordan Love is hitting his Toyotathon stride early
In addition to his teammates, Dan Campbell is a clear believer in Moore. As he said after the game, the expectation is that Moore is going to improve in the coming weeks the more action he sees and have a shot at further impact plays.
"With every rep he's going to get better. That's how he is. So the more reps he gets, the better he gets. He got a pretty good dose (Sunday) and he's improving. That's important. He stepped up for us."
Along with Gill-Howard and the others, Detroit should expect another major day in the trenches in Germany against the Patriots. If that is the case, there's no reason to think their defense cannot continue what's been a fantastic run of success lately.
Add us as a preferred source on Google