Are troubled waters ahead for the Detroit Lions?
A bye week is normally a time to recover from early-season bruises and prepare for upcoming opponents. However, the Lions looked more rusty than ready on Sunday. Detroit was outmatched by the Minnesota Vikings, a team that had been coming off a 37-10 beatdown at the hands of the Los Angeles Chargers.
After a good start to the season, some doubt has crept into the minds of the Lions’ fandom. Now 5-3, are the Lions in trouble going forward? What needs to be fixed for Detroit to return to dominant form: a trade, a returning player, a playbook shakeup? Matching their 15-2 record from last season was always a lofty challenge, but now the Lions need to battle to ensure they are in playoff contention, let alone winning their division or conference. How thin has the margin for error gotten in Detroit?
Today’s Question of the Day is:
What is your level of concern with the Detroit Lions?
My answer: 4/10.
I think concern regarding the offense is warranted, but I also do not believe we are at the stage where offensive coordinator John Morton needs to be relieved of his duties. The Lions have had some sub-par performances, without question, but they have also had some vintage Lions performances. From Week 2 to Week 5, the Lions scored 34 or more points in those victories—the offensive talent and playmaking is clearly still present. I have not been impressed with the offense lately, but a midseason firing is not on the table.
It is difficult to pinpoint how to fix the offense. I dislike how basic the offense has appeared—most of their plays seem to be ineffective runs up the middle or short passes near or behind the line of scrimmage. However, it is difficult to dial up a more advanced playbook if the blocking is not up to snuff. The core of the offense is the offensive line, and they simply have not played to the standard set in 2024. Things are only expected to get worse, with Christian Mahogany expected to miss significant time. How can you scheme up deep shots to Jameson Williams if there is no time for the play to develop? I really want to see more from Jahmyr Gibbs as a downfield receiver, but at this point, screen plays might be the only way to get him the ball in space.
I think one of the biggest concerns for the Lions is their special teams. Normally, a bad special teams unit is hindered by a bad kicker or a bad punter. However, I think Jake Bates and Jack Fox have been fine this season. I am significantly disappointed with their coverage unit. Look at this Lions roster and you will see plenty of players with excellent special teams pedigree. Grant Stuard, Trevor Nowaske, Brock Wright, and Derrick Barnes are just some of the names that have a track record of playing good special teams. Yet on a near-weekly basis, the Lions are struggling. Whether it is penalties, bad coverage, bad blocking, or other gaffes, something has gone wrong for the special teams unit far too often. A team with this many good special teamers and a coordinator as good as Dave Fipp should not be this bad. How they were fifth in special teams DVOA before this week is beyond me—Jack Fox must be carrying that ranking.
Overshadowed by the faltering on offense and special teams, I actually think the defense looked fine against the Vikings. The pass rush was present throughout the game, sacking J.J. McCarthy five times and pressuring him on a consistent basis. I think the coverage was actually fairly good, limiting Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson to 48 and 47 receiving yards, respectively. Of McCarthy’s two touchdown passes, the one to Jefferson was a perfect pass and catch, while the T.J. Hockenson touchdown was a case of beating zone coverage in the red zone—unfortunate, but it happens. In particular, I think Terrion Arnold had a good showing, recording three pass breakups and his first-career interception. Once D.J. Reed and Kerby Joseph return to the lineup, the defense could look genuinely great.
Minnesota may have scored 27 points, but many of their drives were aided by the Lions’ special teams ineptitude. Of the Vikings’ five scoring drives, they went for 36 yards (touchdown), 64 yards (touchdown), 41 yards (field goal), 35 yards (touchdown), and 24 yards (field goal). Sure, you would like to see more stops from the defense (I was disappointed with the run defense), but it is hard to succeed when Minnesota was starting nearly every drive with positive field position. That comes down to the offense driving down the field (they did not) and special teams playing clean football (they did not).
The Lions still have time and talent to right the ship, but next week’s game against a Commanders team missing their star quarterback is almost a must-win. If they falter despite those favorable circumstances, something drastic will need to be done.
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