The Detroit Lions are sitting at a 2-1 record after taking down the New York Jets, but if you listen to their fanbase, you’d think they were a winless bunch of sucks. Forget the winning column, because some fans are totally unimpressed and uninspired, especially after the defense collapsed yet again in the fourth quarter on Sunday. Folks are already questioning this team’s big-picture goals, talking Super Bowl viability like the playoffs start next week. Dude, it’s not even October!
The Secondary Is a Disaster, and Geno Smith Proved It
Alright, let’s get real about what’s actually happening on the field. The Lions have some serious warts in their secondary, and it’s not just a little rash, it’s a full-blown outbreak. Just ask Geno Smith. In Week 3, Smith absolutely went off against this secondary, logging a ridiculous +21.1 completion percentage over expected. To put that in perspective, that’s nearly 11% higher than Patrick Mahomes, who finished second that week at +10.25! Smith was also second in the league in tight-window rate at 27%, meaning he was throwing into coverage like it was an open field, and the Lions’ guys just couldn’t make a play.
Whether it’s the coaching, the scheme, the personnel, or some unholy mix of all three, Smith should not have had that kind of day. The secondary might have been in slightly better position this week, but they still had missed assignments, epic miscommunication, and blew so many chances to get off the field on third down. It’s not enough to force a turnover on a blitz, Chuck Clark; the guys on the backend have to make plays in coverage too! Talk about turbulence: their starting safeties are on PUP, and the guy who was their No. 1 cornerback just three months ago? He’s now a member of the Seattle Seahawks and facing up to life in prison. That’s a rough spot to be in, no matter what city you play for.
Chill Out, It’s Only Week 3
Look, I get the frustration. Nobody wants to see their defense crumble in the fourth quarter. But declaring this 2-1 team dead in the water, or saying their Super Bowl window is slamming shut after three weeks, is just plain premature. The secondary is absolutely in rough shape, there’s no denying that. But does that mean the Detroit Lions are a bad team? No, it doesn’t.
Coming to a final verdict on their ceiling this early in the season is just an overreaction. They’re still finding their footing. The problems in the secondary are serious, yeah, but let’s see how they adjust and what moves they make. It’s a long season, folks.
What’s next for them is a chance to show some grit and figure out how to stop the bleed in that secondary. Can they clean up the assignments and get those crucial third-down stops? That’s what every fan will be watching for.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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