Throughout the season, the Detroit Lions defense hasn’t exactly been their strongest suit. The Lions defense has been leaking yardage, especially through the air, even in their late push to win the division and in the postseason. The Lions have let up at least 340 passing yards in five straight games.
However, head coach Dan Campbell identified another facet of their defense that has, in fact, improved during that same time frame.
We cause disruptions, Campbell declared. “We hit and we’re aggressive.”
The numbers back it up as well. Over the last six games, the Lions have averaged almost three sacks and 1.5 interceptions per game. Campbell claims that the mindset behind their defense is now that we will sometimes give up a play but then come back with big individual plays that swing the game.
That has to be our core values, in my opinion. These are the guiding ideas, according to Campbell. “Look, I know I’m willing to give up something to obtain something, so we might get hit on a few things. And occasionally, things might occur, but that’s alright because by the time the fourth quarter rolls around, it will have paid off.
However, the 49ers from San Francisco offer a distinct challenge in this Sunday’s NFC Championship Game. They are proficient at everything. They are top in pass offense DVOA and second in running game efficiency, and they are the third-highest scoring offense overall.
What then is this week’s top priority?
“You halt the sprint,” Campbell commanded. “If you don’t stop the run, they will rush you for 250 and won’t even bother to pass,” the person said. That is where it all must begin.
The Lions might be able to handle that assignment because despite their difficulties stopping the pass, they have proved to be a formidable force against the run all season. The Lions reply with the second-best run defense in terms of yardage (88.8 yards per game) and third in terms of yards per carry (3.7). The 49ers are averaging 140.5 rushing yards per game (third) and 4.8 yards per carry (4.8).
It won’t be simple to stop the 49ers, though. San Francisco, who has Christian McCaffrey, perhaps the best running back in the NFL, at their disposal, has only allowed less than 100 rushing yards in one game this season—that was back in Week 7 against the Vikings.
And even if McCaffrey and company are able to slow down the Lions, Campbell is aware that the 49ers’ Brock Purdy may still cause them problems in the passing game.
Campbell remarked, “You’ve got your hands full in both areas, and Purdy does an incredible job.” We need to put an end to this run game, but they throw a lot of daggers in the middle of the field, and he does a fantastic job with touch, timing, and rhythm. That’s where it needs to begin. It’s difficult, but you have to do everything in your power to make this team one-dimensional.
