How the Detroit Lions can win the NFC North in 2020
3. Matt Patricia’s defensive unit more resembles the 2018 version than 2019.
During Matt Patricia’s first season in the Motor City, the Detroit Lions finished 10th in the league in both total defense and fewest rushing yards allowed per game. The Men from Motown also surrendered the eighth-fewest passing yards in the NFL.
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Detroit managed a very-respectable 43 sacks but came away with only 14 takeaways. And this unit got better as the year unfolded, allowing a combined 41 points in the team’s final four contests.
But that was not the case this past season as only the Cardinals surrendered more total yards per game and no team was more generous in terms of allowing yards through the air. The Lions permitted a whopping 46 offensive touchdowns — 33 through the air — while Patricia’s squad allowed a disappointing 423 points. And the pass rush, supposedly bolstered by the addition of Trey Flowers, came up with just 28 sacks.
Tim Twentymen of Detroit Lions.com looks a little deeper into Patricia’s defense, one that added Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah with the third overall pick in April.
General manager Bob Quinn also signed linebacker Jamie Collins and defensive tackle Danny Shelton and traded for safety Duron Harmon, all former Patriots. And the Lions added cornerback Desmond Trufant after he was cut loose by the Falcons.