It only took two games for serious doubts about the Detroit Lions emerge.
After squeaking by a possibly better-than-expected New Orleans Saints (1-1) in Week 1, the Lions couldn't keep up with a high-flying Buffalo Bills (2-0) offense in last Thursday's 41-31 loss.
At 1-1 and with 15 games remaining, Detroit has plenty of time to get right and make noise in the NFC. But the lackluster start to the season is still a cause for concern.
Here are three reasons why the Lions should panic.
Depth is already an issue
Already without starting center Cade Mays (wrist), the Lions were also without left guard Christian Mahogany (hip) and right tackle Blake Miller (knee) in Thursday's loss to the Bills. Backups Ben Bartch and Larry Borom struggled in their place. Per Sumer Sports data, Borom, who was flagged three times (two false starts, one holding), conceded eight pressures and one sack in 24 matchups against Bills edge rusher Gregory Rousseau. Bartch allowed a 11.4 percent pressure rate overall.
While indications are that Mahogany and Miller won't have prolonged absences, their backups' rough performances show how fragile Detroit is up front.
Cornerback is an even bigger concern. It was a projected issue after former first-round pick Terrion Arnold's release, but the problem may even be worse than anticipated.
Entering "Monday Night Football," cornerback DJ Reed has allowed a league-high 188 receiving yards on 11 targets as the nearest coverage defender, per NFL Pro data.
Free safety Thomas Harper has also been exposed against tight ends, allowing four receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown on five targets against Saints tight end Juwan Johnson and Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid.
With both Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, the unit won't get any better in the immediate future. ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano recently wrote that while the pair, out until at least Week 4, "will be back at some point... it doesn't sound like that ... is coming very soon."
It's also fair to question how sustainable running back Jahmyr Gibbs' heavy workload is over an entire season. Through two games, he already has 56 touches (45 carries, 11 receptions), putting him on a 17-game pace for 476 touches, which would be the second-most in NFL history. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back James Wilder has 492 in 1984.)
With backup Isiah Pacheco (knee) expected to be out until December, Detroit doesn't have the luxury of preserving Gibbs and keeping him fresh for when the playoff chase heats up later this season. Will he hold up? The Lions appear intent on testing his limits.
Defense is a liability
Health isn't the only thing holding the Lions back. The defense has already given up 71 points, the seventh-most through two games in franchise history. In the six seasons the Lions allowed more points, they went a combined 19-77-1, most recently going 3-13-1 in head coach Dan Campbell's first season (2021).
Since Week 9 of the 2025 season, Detroit has allowed 1,627 rushing yards, the third-most during the span. Through two games this season, the Lions' defense ranks No. 31 in expected points added per run play. It's allowed 10 explosive runs, tied with the Indianapolis Colts for the most in the league.
With the exception of edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions don't have a threatening pass rush, either. Detroit has a lot to fix on defense, and some issues could persist throughout the season.
Coordinators have underwhelmed
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, in his second season after replacing Aaron Glenn, who returns to Detroit as New York Jets head coach in Week 3, is under fire after the unit's disastrous start.
First-year offensive coordinator Drew Petzing has had more success, but the Lions are still missing that spark former OC Ben Johnson provided. Detroit's also been a bit boom-or-bust through two weeks, producing the league's seventh-highest 3-and-out rate (26.1 percent), per FTN Fantasy.
Petzing has also struggled to scheme explosive wideout Jameson Williams open. NFL Pro Insights noted entering Week 2 that the X-year receiver led the NFL last season in routes reaching 18+ and 20+ mph, but Petzing has been unable to take advantage. Through two games, Williams has six receptions for 78 yards.
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