The Detroit Lions defense has been absolutely lit up through the first four weeks of the 2026 NFL season. Under second-year defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, the Lions rank dead last in the NFL with 304 passing yards allowed per game — more than 20 yards more than the next worst team. They also rank last in total yards allowed per game (423.8), and second to last in points allowed per game (31.8).
Meanwhile, the Lions' offense ranks near the top of the league in all of these categories — forced to pick up the slack to make up for the defense's shortcomings. On Thursday, Sheppard was asked about the perception that the Lions' offense is "carrying" the defense so far this season. Sheppard was clearly not happy with this question.
"I could care less about perceptions. I could care less about the talk. It's all poison," Sheppard said.
"We have a three-phase team here and I fully believe that. I'm going to stand strong in that belief. "I think that's ultra disrespectful to my unit to say someone has to carry us.
We're going to do our one-third here. Point blank, period." The Lions' offense has scored at least 26 points in each of the team's four games to begin the season. They needed 31 points in an overtime win over the New Orleans Saints, and 31 points in a victory over the New York Jets. 26 points wasn't enough to overcome the 32 scored by Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers this past weekend.
Detroit will look to get back on track in a Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
