NOVEMBER 11, 2026 | ET
Detroit Lions — The defensive transformation through Week 9 is substantial. Detroit allowed 31.8 points and 423.8 yards per game over its first four contests. Across its last four, those averages have declined to 15.5 points and 286.3 yards, with corresponding improvements in passing defense, third-down efficiency and explosive-play prevention.
Who had the Lions playing like the No. 1 overall defense at any point this season on their bingo card? I certainly didn’t, but over the last three games, that’s exactly the level they’ve been playing at!
I did, however, say that finishing with a top-10 defense by January was both possible and necessary. Right now, this defense is crushing that prediction, and a top-five finish is looking increasingly realistic.
Some may remember that I’ve consistently maintained Detroit needs to allow 19 points per game or fewer. If the Lions can reach and sustain that level of defensive performance, they’re going to win a lot of football games. Take a guess at what the defense has allowed since week five.
QUESTION: Are We Still Firing Kelvin Sheppard?
GAME-BY-GAME DEFENSIVE PRODUCTION
Detroit’s four-game winning streak began against Arizona in Week 5, followed by Green Bay, Minnesota and Miami after the Week 6 bye. The Lions have allowed fewer points and fewer total yards in each successive game, declining from 21 points and 327 yards against the Cardinals to nine points and 228 yards against the Dolphins.
The performance has been particularly effective against the run. None of the four opponents exceeded 81 rushing yards, and Detroit did not allow a rushing touchdown during this stretch. The Lions also intercepted at least one pass in every game and recorded 12 sacks across the four contests. Arizona converted eight of 18 third downs, but the following three opponents combined to convert just 12 of 37.
Miami’s 228 official net yards included a 46-yard fake-punt completion, leaving just 182 yards generated through conventional offensive plays. The progression is encouraging, but comparing four individual games does not fully explain the magnitude of Detroit’s improvement. That requires examining the first and second halves of the season directly.
FIRST FOUR VS. LAST FOUR
The difference between Detroit’s opening four games and its most recent four is considerable. The defense surrendered 127 points and 1,695 yards during Weeks 1–4 compared with 62 points and 1,145 yards during Weeks 5, 7, 8 and 9. That represents a 51.2% reduction in scoring and a 32.4% decline in total yardage over two equal four-game samples.
The passing defense accounts for a significant portion of that improvement. Opponents gained 1,216 net passing yards in the opening four games compared with 871 in the last four, a reduction of 28.4%. Rushing yardage declined even more sharply, from 479 to 274 yards, a 42.8% decrease. Third-down conversions fell from 28 of 53 to 20 of 55, while red-zone touchdown efficiency allowed declined from 82.4% to 46.2%.
Detroit faced 288 offensive plays during its first four games and 236 during its last four. The Week 1 overtime game contributed to the heavier opening workload, but the improvement is not solely attributable to fewer snaps. Detroit is also allowing less yardage per play and fewer successful conversions, indicating greater defensive efficiency.
