After the trade deadline, the Detroit Lions have to lean on their current depth at cornerback to get by an upcoming NFC North gauntlet.
They're 2-0 in the division, but they still have four remaining contests against their divisional foes - one on Thanksgiving against the Chicago Bears, Week 15 at the Minnesota Vikings, Week 17 at the Chicago Bears, and Week 18 at the Green Bay Packers. Lots of cold weather is up ahead for Jared Goff and the Lions, which makes Detroit's wins earlier this season against the Packers and Vikings all the more important.
Through all of this, their secondary has to step up. And, the numbers through Week 9 seem to suggest that they're doing their part. Per Fantasy Points Data, no Lions cornerback is currently posting amongst the highest passer ratings allowed.
Lions defensive backs avoid landing on dastardly ranking
Avoiding this ranking is a feat for some of the Lions' more used cornerbacks, such as D.J. Reed, Roger McCreary, and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. It shows that, while they had their early season struggles, they've found a groove well enough to avoid having completely tanked their individual seasons, statistically.
Detroit avoiding making a move at the deadline might've been, in part, due to the improvement in play from this group overall. With a mixing in of Khalil Dorsey in spurts and on 3rd down plays, they've managed to look a lot more stalwart through their last three games. Most impressive was their ability to hold Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers to just 17 points in Week 7, and forcing an interception on Love.
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Is it sustainable? Honestly, it all depends on health. Reed, who has been night and day as of late after a slow start to this season, is missing his second game in a row in Week 10. If he can come back and look similarly dominant, it'd go a long way towards continuing to improve the secondary's play. Kerby Joseph's return is also imminent, which will help out the secondary - and their linebacker room, as well - with covering passes in the middle of the field.
If they can remain healthy, Detroit could end up with a fairly decent defense in addition to their rockstar offense. That should be enough to land them a postseason spot, and give them a real shot at a deep postseason run.
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