Game Thread: Game 4 vs Chiefs

[Gulf of Brazil]

TWENTYMAN: 5 areas to improve

FORCING NEGATIVE PLAYS

Negative plays can be killers for offenses. Allowing them gets offenses off schedule and puts them in situations where they’re forced to be more predictable to the defense. Turnovers, sacks, tackles for loss and third-down stops are key plays for any defense.

Detroit’s forced 18 negative plays through four games, which ties with the New York Jets for 22nd most in the NFL. For comparison's sake, Carolina leads the league with 28, and Chicago has 26.

Detroit’s nine sacks rank 18th in the NFL, but five of those came Week 1 in Arizona against rookie Kyler Murray, who’s been sacked a league-high 20 times in four games.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

TWENTYMAN: 5 areas to improve

PASSING DEFENSE

The Lions have allowed 18 receptions of 20-plus yards through four games, which is tied with Miami and the New York Giants for the third most in the NFL behind Oakland (21) and Jacksonville (20).

Overall, Detroit has the league’s 27th ranked defense, allowing 405.5 yards per game. They’re 25th in passing defense at 280.8 yards allowed per game, but it’s worth pointing out that three of Detroit first four games have been against Patrick Mahomes, Philip Rivers and Carson Wentz, three of the best in the business at the quarterback position.

Detroit’s been good on passes that travel at least 21 yards in the air. Opponents have just a 68.4 passer rating on those passes with one touchdown, but 18 is a pretty high number of 20-plus-yard passes allowed overall through four games.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

TWENTYMAN: 5 players who impressed

QUARTERBACK MATTHEW STAFFORD

Coordinator Darrell Bevell’s new offense looks to be a terrific fit for Stafford’s skillset, as Stafford’s completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 1,122 yards (280.5 per game) with nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. He’s one of only 10 quarterbacks in the NFL with a passer rating above 100.0 after four games. Stafford has a 102.6 passer rating and has led the Lions to a 2-1-1 start heading into the bye week.

Stafford is also averaging 8.0 yards per pass attempt, which is currently the highest mark of his career. He’s pushing the ball down the field and making plays. Stafford’s 19 completions of 20-plus yards are the third most in the NFL behind Patrick Mahomes and Philip Rivers.

One area where Stafford does need to improve, however, is that he has three fumbles in four games.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

TWENTYMAN: 5 players who impressed

CORNERBACK JUSTIN COLEMAN

Coleman has been well worth the free agent investment this offseason through the first month of the season.


He recorded four tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two defended passes against the Chiefs. Coleman has recorded multiple passes defended in consecutive games vs. Philadelphia and Kansas City. He is currently tied with Johnathan Joseph (Houston), Cory Littleton (LA Rams), Jaire Alexander (Green Bay) and Logan Thomas (Tennessee) for the NFL lead with six passes defended. Coleman is currently the second graded cornerback in the NFL behind only Jason McCourty by Pro Football Focus.

He’s been a big upgrade for the Lions’ defense in the slot.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

^^^^

Coleman makes Diggs look like he never belonged in the nickel/slot. ever. I wouldn't have thought that at any time during the pre-season (speaking of Coleman's play) and there's still a lot of season left for him to prove that he's worthy of that lofty of a contract. 1/4 season gone so far and anything is possible between now and the end of reg season. It's a wait and see prove the 1st 1/4 wasn't a fluke.

Diggs still lacks as a coverage safety but he usually is highly dependable for not giving up much yac.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

TWENTYMAN: 5 players who impressed

WIDE RECEIVER KENNY GOLLADAY

Golladay has at least one touchdown catch in three of Detroit’s first four games. He had two last Sunday vs. Kansas City. Golladay’s four touchdown receptions are tied for the NFL lead after the first month of football.

In his third season, Golladay understands route concepts much better and how to attack teams based off the coverage he sees. Teams will shift coverage his way time to time, and a good way to tell a young receiver is really developing is his ability to adjust and continue to make plays when defenses give him extra attention.

Golladay has strong hands and terrific body control to make tough catches. He’s really had a nice start to his season with 19 receptions for 243 yards and those four scores.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

TWENTYMAN: 5 players who impressed

SAFETY TRACY WALKER

The second-year safety has 36 tackles through Week 4, the most a Lions defensive back has ever posted and tied with linebacker Ernie Sims in 2007 for the second most total tackles a Lions player has produced through the first four games of a season.

Walker’s 32 solo tackles are the most a Lions player has ever had through the team’s first four games. He’s been a really good tackler in the backend for Detroit.

There are still some things coverage-wise Walker can continue to develop, but we also have to remember he’s drawn a difficult task the last two weeks covering two of the best tight ends in the NFL in Zach Ertz and Travis Kelce, and he kept both players out of the end zone.

Walker’s been credited by PFF with allowing 265 receiving yards in his coverage, but he still hasn’t allowed a touchdown. He has an interception and a defended pass.

 

[Rollingthndr]

How the hell is that a penalty when Walker was clearly going for the interception?