Detroit Lions defense also deserves credit for turnaround
Dan Campbell’s club has more than doubled its win total from a year ago. The Detroit Lions defensive unit has had a major say in the team’s recent revival.
It’s a team that has won three straight games and six of its last seven outings. Of course, it wasn’t all that long ago that the Detroit Lions struggled to win any football game. From 2018-21, the team amassed a dismal 17-46-2 record. That included a 3-13-1 mark in Dan Campbell’s first season a year ago when the Lions were winless in their first 11 contests (0-10-1).
A year ago, the Lions were involved in a trade that saw them obtain multiple first-round draft choices and quarterback Jared Goff from the Rams. It was a deal that sent veteran Matthew Stafford to Sean McVay’s team. The latter hit pay dirt in 2021 thanks to a late-season surge that resulted in a triumph in Super Bowl LVI.
One of the biggest issues for the Lions in recent seasons has been a defensive unit that was putting up numbers that could be found in the record books. In 2020, the club allowed a whopping 519 points, the second-most in one season in NFL history. Detroit surrendered 68 total touchdowns (65 offensive TDs), tied for the most in one season in NFL annals.
A season ago, Campbell’s club gave up “just” 467 points, the second-most in the league. During the early stages of 2022, the Lions continued to struggle on this side of the ball. As of late, Detroit has been playing good football. It’s not just due to the fact that quarterback Jared Goff and company have had a solid year.
It’s hard to ignore the fact that Campbell’s club has allowed only 139 points and 17 offensive touchdowns in their last seven outings (6-1). It comes after a 1-6 start in which the Lions allowed a disappointing 225 points and 25 offensive TDs. Detroit surrendered 24 or more points in each of its first seven contests.
One of the standouts has been rookie defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. He was the second overall pick in April’s draft and has lived up to that lofty selection so far. He is tied for seventh on the club with 40 total tackles and leads the Lions with seven sacks and 13 quarterback hits. The 2021 Heisman Trophy runner-up has also totaled three takeaways via a pair of interceptions and one fumble recovery. The Lions have racked up 30 sacks in 14 contests, equaling last season’s 17-game total.
This is still a defense that must play better. Strides are being made by Aaron Glenn’s unit. At 7-7, the Lions are very much in the NFC playoff picture. While Goff and the offense must continue to play well, it is Campbell’s defensive unit that may determine whether the Lions will find themselves in the postseason for the first time since 2016.