Lions Prepping For 'One Of The Better Front Sevens In The League'
By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby
According to Joique Bell, Kansas City has one of the best front sevens in the league. For a team, in the Lions, who lost three offensive coaches this week, the Chiefs provide a unique (and timely) challenge.
As Detroit works to get its second win of the season – in Week 8 – the Chiefs aren't exactly making it any easier.
"They do have a really good defense," Bell said. "They've got Justin (Houston); I think he led the NFL in sacks last year … They also have some good linebackers. Their front seven is really strong, so definitely one of the better front sevens in the league right now. So we got to make sure we stay on top of our reads and also on who we have to block. It's gonna be a fun game, gonna be real physical so I'm excited."
Houston did lead the league in sacks last year, with 22 in 2014. He also added 59 tackles, four forced fumbles and five passes defended.
And he hasn't slowed down too much this season: Houston is second on his team in sacks (with four, behind Allen Bailey's 4.5) to go along with his forced fumble and 23 tackles.
Behind that imposing front seven is a secondary led by Eric Berry, who fought back from Hodgkin's lymphoma and has sparked the team around him. Last week, he nabbed his first interception since returning to the NFL from chemotherapy treatments, and the team has rallied around Berry.
The Chiefs are 18th in the NFL in points allowed per game (24.6) and 18th in rush defense.
Even if those numbers don't put Kansas City in the top half of the league defensively, the Lions are still near the bottom in several offensive categories. And with a coaching shakeup at the beginning of this week, Detroit is desperate to climb to even a mediocre level.
According to Bell, even with the poor start, the team is closer than ever after a 1-6 start to the season. And the Lions' trip to London has helped the team morale.
"I think it's great," he said. "I think we're closer than ever. As of right now, what we're doing kind of has sort of a training camp feel to it. We're all here; we're all down in the lounge playing a game or playing ping pong. … I think it's good to kind of get away from everything and just be in one area with just your whole team."
