By Moses Joshua 
Detroit’s defense is thriving under pressure — but that may be the biggest red flag of all.
A Defense Playing Hero Ball Should Be a Wake-Up Call
Detroit Lions fans aren’t imagining it — something is off with this team. At 6–4 and losers in two of their last three, the Lions suddenly look far less like the NFC contender they were expected to be. And while the offense has been under scrutiny all season, the spotlight has only intensified now that Dan Campbell has taken over play-calling responsibilities.
Their latest evidence? A nine-point outing against the Eagles, a performance that simply won’t cut it against top-tier competition — especially on the road in November and December. The most troubling part is that the defense once again held strong, limiting Philadelphia to 16 points and giving the Lions every opportunity to win.
But it’s what linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard said afterward that truly underscores how imbalanced this team has become.
Speaking to reporters, Sheppard insisted he loves the Lions’ aggressive fourth-down strategy because the defense feels fully prepared to “put out fires” regardless of field position. It’s a confident, admirable stance — and also a major red flag.
Why? Because no defense should be expected to play firefighter every week.
Detroit’s Offense Is Falling Behind Its Own Standard
On paper, the Lions still sit near the top of the league in several offensive metrics. But anyone watching can see the machine isn’t humming like it used to.
Earlier this month, Amon-Ra St. Brown himself acknowledged the offense hasn’t found its rhythm. David Montgomery has seen inconsistent usage, prompting Campbell to publicly admit they need to get him more involved. Add in changes to the coaching staff, shuffling along the offensive line, and the departure of key offensive architects — and the disjointedness becomes easier to understand.
Still, explanations don’t equal excuses.
Detroit’s defense has endured injuries of its own: Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, and Kerby Joseph in the secondary; Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal in the front seven. Yet the unit keeps swinging, largely thanks to Sheppard’s leadership and the defense’s internal standards.
And the results prove it.
A Defense Dominating in Silence
Heading into Week 12, the Lions defense ranks:
- 5th in total defense (291.8 yards per game)
- 8th in pass defense (192.1)
- 8th in run defense (99.7)
- 10th in scoring defense (21.6)
That’s not just good — that’s borderline elite. Considering the injuries, it might even be downright remarkable.
But buried inside that success is a warning: no defense, no matter how resilient, can carry the burden forever.
If Detroit’s offense continues to sputter, asking the defense to repeatedly “clean up the mess” becomes unsustainable. Eventually, even the best units crack under the weight of constant crisis management.
Time Is Running Short for Detroit to Find Its Groove
The Lions have enough offensive firepower to be dangerous — everyone knows that. The playmakers are there. The talent is there. Even the flashes of brilliance are still there.
But something is undeniably off. And with December football approaching, Detroit can no longer afford to wait for things to magically come together.
Dan Campbell and the offensive staff must diagnose the issue now, not later. Because the defense has done everything possible to keep this team afloat.
They’ve been firefighters long enough.
It’s time for the offense to stop starting the fires.