The Lions were one of the top offenses in the NFL this season, ranking second overall in yards per game, behind only the Baltimore Ravens. While it may not feel like it, especially after giving up 45 in the Divisional Round against the Washington Commanders, the Lions still wound up with one of the top defenses in the NFL, as ranked by Pro Football Network.
Using PFN’s Defensive+ rankings, the Lions came out with the No. 5 defense overall.
Their metrics “combine statistics such as yards per play, points per drive, sack percentage, turnover percentage, success rate against the run and pass, third-down conversion rate, red-zone efficiency, pressure percentage when not blitzing, and various expected points added (EPA) measures against both the run and pass.”
Detroit’s regular-season grade from PFN on defense was 81.5. That number, expectedly, drops to 79.2 when you include the playoffs. But overall, still a strong showing for the Lions, especially given all the injuries on that side of the football.
After an extremely promising Week 18 showing vs. the Vikings that suggested the Lions might be able to overcome their litany of defensive injuries, a very cruel reality set in during the Divisional Round.
Detroit had no answers for the Washington Commanders in a crushing home loss, resulting in a 63.7 (D) grade that was the worst by any team during the Divisional Round.
Aaron Glenn’s unit leaned into an aggressive identity regardless of the available personnel, leaning on heavy man coverage and blitz tendencies. That backfired disastrously against Daniels, resulting in Detroit’s worst defensive EPA per dropback (-0.52) of the season.
Detroit’s defense sought to generate a handful of disruptive plays, betting that stealing a couple possessions would be enough to support its sensational offense. But none of that happened vs. Washington, as the Lions did not generate a single takeaway or sack while also recording its third-lowest non-blitz pressure rate (24%) this season.
For three months, the Lions were a top-five defense, even without All-Pro edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson after Week 6. That glimpse of potential provides some hope that 2025 will end better, but it also serves as a bitter reminder of what could have been this season.
With Hutchinson coming back and perhaps cornerback Carlton Davis, if the Lions re-sign him, Detroit should be strong again on defense in 2025. Losing Aaron Glenn to the New York Jets stings but the Lions kept continuity there by promoting linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to defensive coordinator.