Lions lose two key defensive players just as they face tough stretch of games

Updated Sep. 23, 2024 7:05 p.m. ET

Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions are 2-1 thanks to a defense that has made up for a shaky start from what was expected to be a high-scoring offense.

The Lions are averaging just 18.7 points in regulation and have scored only three points in the fourth quarter. That's why, eight months after their run to the NFC Championship game, they are lucky to have any wins. They needed a late field goal to force overtime in a 26-20 Week 1 victory over Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams.

They lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, then held on for an ugly 20-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Jared Goff threw an apparent pick-6 late in the game, but the officials ruled the two-minute warning came before the snap.

That defense has been crucial, and that's not likely to change with games coming up against Seattle, Dallas and Minnesota.

On Monday, fans found out the Lions will go into those games without two key members of that defense.

Coach Dan Campbell announced that defensive end Marcus Davenport will miss the rest of the season with an elbow injury and linebacker Derrick Barnes will miss a “significant amount of time” with a knee injury.

“We're still getting second opinions on Barnes, and those will be coming in for a while,” Campbell said. “He's going to be down for a little while to heal, but is he going to need surgery?”

Davenport, a free agent signing from the Vikings, has played an important role as the No. 2 defensive end alongside Aidan Hutchinson. His ability to pressure quarterbacks meant offensive coordinators couldn't focus entirely on stopping Hutchinson.

Levi Onwuzurike, who can play defensive tackle and end, will get a lot of reps in Davenport's spot, as will third-year end Josh Pascal.

“This is going to be big for (Paschal),” Campbell said. “He's going to take a load over there. He continues to grow and we're going to need him to step up.”

Barnes has been Detroit's best linebacker, and there's no obvious candidate to replace him on the strong side. Ben Niemann did it on Sunday, but he has spent most of his time at the other linebacker spots.

“We have a lot of depth, and we trust every player,” Campbell said. “It's going to hurt losing Barnes, because he's playing at a high level, but if it has to happen, the linebacker room gives us faith, because all those guys can play.”

That will be important in the tough stretch coming up.

What's working

The Lions haven't scored as much as they need to, but the run game has picked up where it left off last season. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have combined for 438 rushing yards and another 130 receiving. They've scored five of Detroit's seven touchdowns.

What needs help

NFL teams have been throwing shorter passes this season, thanks to the resurgence of two-deep coverages, but the Lions have taken it too far. Goff has completed 59 passes to his top five receivers — Gibbs, Montgomery, wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams and tight end Sam LaPorta — but they have been caught an average of just 4.9 yards past the line of scrimmage.

Stock up

Jack Fox is averaging 49.5 yards per punt with a long of 68, and has pinned the opposition inside the 20 eight times. He punted five times against the Cardinals at an average of 49.4 yards and Arizona's average starting position was their own 8.

Stock down

After finally flashing his big-play ability in the first two games of the season, Williams touched the ball twice against the Cardinals for 2 yards. He needs to become a deep threat that opens up St. Brown underneath.

Injuries

The Lions lost several players on Sunday, although Davenport and Barnes were the most serious injuries. Playmaking safety Brian Branch is in concussion protocol, LaPorta sprained an ankle, defensive tackle Alim McNeill hurt a shoulder and cornerback Terrion Arnold sustained a knee injury. All are listed as day-to-day, and they could benefit from an extra day of rest before Monday night's game against the Seahawks.

Key number

3 — The number of consecutive years the Lions have lost to the Seahawks. In a fluke of scheduling, this will be the third straight season the teams play at Ford Field in the first four weeks of the season — Detroit lost 48-45 in Week 4 in 2022 and 37-31 in overtime in last year's Week 2.

Next steps

Figure out a way to slow down the Seattle offense. The Seahawks have averaged 45.3 points in their three recent victories over Detroit, with Russell Wilson and Geno Smith going a combined 75 of 100 for 884 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions.

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