Will the Detroit Lions be able to continue to win with opportunistic defense?
By Bruce Walker
The first “Yes”. Giveaways.
The Lions have only lost the ball twice this season thus far.
The first turnover was an interception that Matthew Stafford threw on the first offensive play of the season. Golden Tate got jammed on a quick slant, only a yard beyond the line of scrimmage just as Stafford was preparing to release the ball. This disrupted Tate’s route and the result was an easy interception by an Arizona Cardinals Justin Bethel, who took the pick in for a touchdown.
The lone fumble occurred in the second quarter of the Monday Night Football game between the Lions and the New York Giants. It was third and eight when Stafford was strip-sacked by Jason Pierre-Paul and the recovery of that fumble lost the Lions three yards of field position. Then, on the very next play, Giants quarterback Eli Manning was intercepted by linebacker Tahir Whitehead, who returned the pick 18 yards. In a span of two plays, the Lions picked up 15 yards of field position and a first down.
In the end, it was a successful set of plays. Even so, I certainly do not recommend a game plan built on replicating those circumstances!
The bottom line is that the Lions have been very protective of the football. That is a result of training, emphasis, and focus. Stafford has shown that he can be very proficient in limiting interceptions. Everyone is aware of ball protection.
The giveaways by the Lions have been very few and far between. I think this trend will continue and will be sustainable.