Over the first 14 weeks of the NFL season, the Detroit Lions have looked like the best team in football. They are 12-1 and have not lost a game since September.
While fans generally believe the Lions can make the Super Bowl this year, one of the team’s former quarterbacks knows a way other teams can exploit Detroit.
Dan Orlovsky Discusses One Way the Detroit Lions Could Be Exploited
Dan Orlovsky, who was with the Lions for three seasons, was recently asked about the Lions’ flaws on ESPN’s “NFL Live.” He highlighted Detroit’s secondary unit as the area other teams can take advantage of.
“If you defensively, give me, as an offensive person, plenty of opportunity to take shots downfield,” said Orlovsky. “If I was an offense going against the Lions, I take three shots a quarter. If you’re going to continue to line up and play press man against me, or any form of man, we’re taking our shots.”
He added, “As good as their secondary has been at times this year, they don’t have four Darrelle Revises, they don’t have four Patrick Surtain Juniors. This is a group that is good, not great, and I would take shots at them all game.”
"If I was an offense going against the Lions … I'd take three shots a quarter."@danorlovsky7 says Detroit's biggest flaw is the opportunities teams could take against their secondary ✍️ pic.twitter.com/v2eW4HkVNk
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 12, 2024
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has done great work with the defense, especially after losing key players like Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, and Alex Anzalone to injuries. Under his leadership, Detroit is tied for the league’s second-best scoring defense, allowing only 18.0 points per game.
The Lions also have the fifth-best run defense in the league, but their passing defense is the 10th-worst, allowing 224.7 yards per game. This is not ideal for a team that has Super Bowl aspirations and has been quite good defensively.
Players like Brian Branch, Terrion Arnold, and Kerby Joseph have impressed for the Lions. But, as Orlovsky said, if the team continues to play favorable coverages for teams with elite receivers and a quarterback with a strong arm, they will be tough to contain for Detroit.
Two NFC Teams Will Be a Tough Matchup for Lions in the Playoffs
Despite the concern about their passing defense, the Lions are still the best team in the NFC. However, if they do not cover up their weak spots, there are two teams that will prove to be a tough matchup for them in the postseason.
The Philadelphia Eagles are one of them, and Detroit could be up against Philadelphia in the NFC Championship Game. Saquon Barkley has been the star for the Eagles this year, but the team still has two elite receivers in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
No matter what people say about Jalen Hurts, he has proven that he can light up defenses with his arm over the years. If the Lions play press man coverage against them, both Brown and Smith can terrorize them, which will also open up the field for Barkley.
Another team that can pose similar problems to the Lions is the Los Angeles Rams. They are not certain to make the playoffs, but if they do, Matthew Stafford, alongside Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, will be tough to contain for any team. Detroit escaped with a 24-23 win in the Wild Card round last year, but if they play against each other again in the playoffs, Sean McVay will be more than ready to burst their Super Bowl dream.
The Minnesota Vikings also have all the necessary weapons to take down the Lions, but nobody knows what to expect from Sam Darnold in the postseason. He has played great in the regular season, but unlike Hurts and Stafford, Darnold is yet to get snaps in a playoff game and show his big-game mettle.