The Detroit Lions had a fairly clean game defensively in a 44-22 rout of the Washington Commanders, but even in spite of the solid performance, there were some lingering concerns.
While the Lions only allowed 195 yards through the air, they gave up two passing touchdowns to Marcus Mariota, who was an effective 16-22 throwing the ball. Detroit only collected two sacks, and still could have won more comfortably than they did given an offensive explosion.
In spite of that frustration, Dan Campbell was pleased overall with what the Lions were able to do defensively against the Commanders. He praised the ability of the group to handle multiple different offensive looks successfully on the road.
"Defensively, to handle the tempo that they play with, that's not easy if you don't see that all the time. They do a lot of different things. They're under center. They're in the gun. (Marcus) Mariota can run. The RPO, the bootleg, then back under center, and then you get in heavy and they run the keepers, then the wide zone, then the gap. I thought we handled it pretty well."
A big reason the Lions may have struggled on the back end was the loss of Terrion Arnold. The cornerback exited the game with a concussion, and did not return. That indicates he didn't pass protocol immediately, which now puts him at risk of missing Week 11's game unless he makes a rapid recovery.
Detroit was able to win going away without Arnold last week, but his elongated absence would put the Lions in a crunch starting Week 11. It's tough to anticipate how players will recover off brain injuries, so it's time for the franchise to plan for the worst as it relates to Arnold's health.
Lions' defensive backfield faces major challenge against Eagles in Week 11
A tough challenge awaits the Lions this week in the form of the Philadelphia Eagles. While Jalen Hurts doesn't always have a rocket arm at quarterback, he can distribute the ball well, and has plenty of weaponry at his disposal down the field.
With A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia has a solid 1-2 punch at wide receiver that can break a game. Dallas Goedert brings pass catching ability at tight end. With an elite run game to lure the defense into submission, Hurts is able to utilize the pass to make life uncomfortable on a backfield.
READ MORE: Dan Campbell needed just one game to show he should be calling the shots
The Lions are still hurting in their defensive backfield. There remains no timetable for the return of cornerback D.J. Reed. They've now played without safety Kerby Joseph the last two weeks, and his absence has added to the frustration the backfield has seen recently. The 'Legion of Whom' played well against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it's unfair to expect unknown players to constantly step in flawlessly.
While the Lions were able to get by without Arnold in Washington, things will get more complicated starting now. Not only do the Lions have to worry about Philadelphia, but they have a tough Thanksgiving Day battle against the Green Bay Packers, and more divisional tests in December on the road.
The hope is Arnold can be healthy quickly, but until injury reports are revealed later in the week, there's a chance he could be lost for a critical NFC battle.