Lions' Defense Searching For Consistency After Up-And-Down Year
By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby
Before the 42-17 loss to the Cardinals Sunday, it could be argued that the Lions' defense was getting better each week. Of course, a lot of optimism flew out the window after that 42-17 loss, but the defense is perhaps the most mysterious.
Detroit's defensive unit, after finishing second in the NFL last season, is in the bottom few this year in most categories – total defense (23rd), average rushing yards per game (27th), points per game (26th), etc. The passing defense has evened out to at least mediocre at 17th in the league (allowing 248.8 yards per game through the air).
And there are outliers everywhere: The Lions allowed San Diego to throw for 387 yards in Week 1, then the Vikings only threw for 151 the next week. After Minnesota ran for 199 yards on the ground, Denver only put together 41 rushing yards against the Lions the next week.
"One week we're really good at stopping the run, the next week we're not," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "So we've got to develop some consistency before we develop an identity and that's the big thing we've been stressing with our guys. If we're consistent in what we do and how we do it, then we'll be able to develop an identity."
Consistency is what this defense is searching for – even with their turnover-prone offense that often sends them to the field without warning and without rest.
But to Austin, the roller-coaster nature of the offense isn't an excuse for the defense.
"I'm not human," Austin said, when asked if it was human nature to struggle with consistency when the offense's turnovers keep throwing a wrench into the defense's timing. "I'm just telling you, we put the ball down and we play and that's what our guys have to be. You can't be human because if you let that seep into your game, then you'll find excuses about why you didn't do something and that's not our goal."
The Lions will have a chance to erase some of its inconsistencies this weekend when the schedule finally lightens up. Chicago (2-3) comes to Ford Field Sunday, and is 24th in total offense on the season. Quarterback Jay Cutler has already missed a game this season because of a hamstring injury, and the Bears' passing offense is tied for 24th in the league.
It could be an opportunity for Detroit's defense to show some more of the improvement that took a leave of absence last week.
"Just getting the ball bouncing in our favor," said Lions cornerback Rashean Mathis of getting the defense back on track. "You watch film or ESPN or whatever it is, you see balls going in the defensive favor here and there – like, man, why can't we get those? Sooner or later, they'll come."
