The Detroit Lions are 2-2, but neither of their wins have felt comfortable. The team needed a failed two-point conversion to win in Week 1 and a late touchdown to move past the New York Jets in Week 3.
In both instances, the team’s defense turned in big plays in the final moments. Prior to those moments, however, the defense was the reason the Lions were in trouble.
The defense reared its ugly head in Week 4, with the Carolina Panthers dropping 32 points against it in a 32-26 win. With the performance, the Lions have now given up at least 30 points in three out of four games this season. Because of that, the team ranks 32nd in points against.
Things have already reached a point where defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard’s job security is being brought up after games. But Lions head coach Dan Campbell shot down that idea, saying he’s focuced on “getting better right now with what we’ve got.”
“I’m not talking about all that, Campbell said when asked about making a change at defensive coordinator. “I’m talking about getting better right now with what we’ve got. And that’s what we’re gonna do. We’re going to find a way to get better with what we got.”
“I’m not talking about all that, Campbell said when asked about making a change at defensive coordinator. “I’m talking about getting better right now with what we’ve got. And that’s what we’re gonna do. We’re going to find a way to get better with what we got.”
Sheppard has been the team’s defensive coordinator since 2025. The Lions ranked 22nd in points against last season. Under Aaron Glenn — the team’s previous defensive coordinator — the Lions ranked 7th in points against in 2024.
When asked why he feels confident things can turn around, Campbell said there were still “things we can do” and tweaks the Lions can make on defense. He mentioned that the team needed to “settle some things down,” though did not add specific solutions that would get the Lions back on track.
Lions cornerback D.J. Reed put the onus on the players when asked about the team’s struggles after Sunday’s loss, saying, “It’s not a coaching thing, it’s a players thing,” per ESPN.
The entire Lions secondary had a rough time in the contest, as Panthers’ second-year widout Tetairoa McMillan torched the team for 192 yards and two touchdowns. The Lions were good against the run, either, as Chuba Hubbard had 122 rushing yards and two scores in the victory.
It should get easier moving forward. The Lions’ next six opponents rank average or below average in points scored this season. That should give the team’s defense multiple weeks to get right before the Chicago Bears come to town in Week 12.
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