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The Detroit Lions continue to be one of the most formidable teams in the NFL this season, as Dan Campbell’s squad picked up a resilient come-from-behind victory over the Houston Texans in Week 10 and are 8-1 on the season. Detroit will head back home to host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11 and are inching closer to clinching a playoff berth.
Though Detroit’s offense stepped up in the second half of the team’s victory over the Texans, Aaron Glenn’s defense deserves most of the credit for the Lions’ improbable road win. The unit came alive in the final two quarters, posting a second-half shutout and forcing two turnovers off quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Additionally, the Lions’ shut down Houston’s potent rushing attack led by running back Joe Mixon, allowing just 56 yards on two yards per carry. Mixon ran for just 46 yards on 25 carries and struggled to find any breathing room.
Glenn’s group has been excellent in 2024, and despite losing starting edge rushers Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport to season-ending injuries, the unit continues to wreak havoc.
According to Fantasy Life’s Ian Hartitz, Detroit’s defense is tied for the league lead in the percentage of plays where the defense tallies a pressure, tackle for loss, interception, forced fumble, or pass breakup (51%).
Hartitz aptly calls it “Havoc” rate.
Defense “Havoc” rates this season: % of plays where the defense got a pressure, TFL, INT, FF, or PBU:
1. DET (51%)
2. CLE (51%)
3. HOU (50%)
4. MIN (48%)
5. DEN (48%)
6. SF (46%)
7. PHI (46%)
8. BAL (45%)
9. LA (45%)
10. CHI (44%)
11. NYG (44%)
12. LAC (44%)
13. NYJ (43%)
14. KC…— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) November 12, 2024
Though the Lions’ defense can be prone to giving up explosive plays, the group has been fantastic in key situations this season and will be even better with the addition of edge rusher Za’Darius Smith.
The veteran pass rusher was traded to the Motor City ahead of the Nov. 5 trade deadline and has posted five sacks and 27 quarterback pressures in 2024.
With Detroit still in a tight race to win the NFC North, Campbell and Glenn will need their defense to play at a high level for the rest of the campaign.
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