Earlier in the week, we talked about which Detroit Lions skill position players may pop off against the Green Bay Packers in the opening game of the team’s 2025 season. Now I want to move to the other side of the ball.
While there has been a ton of attention paid to Detroit’s potential regression on offense, not enough people are talking about the Lions’ defense. Early in the season, it was one of the best defenses in football, and it could be even better this year. If Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport can play for an entire season, that alone could push Detroit’s defense to enormous heights. But Detroit is also loaded with young talent in Tyleik Williams, Terrion Arnold, Jack Campbell, Brian Branch, and Kerby Joseph.
Those players will have their hands full right off the bat against a Green Bay Packers offense that finished eighth in points scored and fourth in DVOA last year.
So today’s Question of the Day is:
Who is the Lions’ most important defender vs. the Packers?
My answer: The Packers’ passing game requires the success of a deep short or two, so my answer for the most important defender is Kerby Joseph.
That’s a good person to be important, because Joseph has quickly become Detroit’s best defense to a deep passing game. Last year, he led the NFL with nine interceptions, and according to PFF, he only allowed two touchdowns and a 68.3 passer rating when targeted.
Last year against the Packers, Joseph allowed a total of two completions for 30 yards over two games and tallied a pick-six against Jordan Love. I would not be surprised to see Joseph with the ball in his hands again this Sunday.
Which Lions defender do you think is the most important in Week 1? Scroll down to the comment section and share your answer.
