The Detroit Lions had a rocky start to their 2019 season, but their secondary proved to be a bright spot for the team. As we look back at week 7 of the 2019 season, let's take a closer look at how the Detroit Lions secondary performed and where they ranked compared to the rest of the NFL.
The Lions faced off against the Minnesota Vikings in week 7, and while they ultimately lost the game, their secondary put up an impressive performance. The Lions defense held Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins to just 0.7 yards per attempt and limited him to just one touchdown pass. Let's dive a little deeper into the stats to see how the Lions secondary stacked up.
Passing Yards Allowed
When it comes to passing yards allowed, the Lions secondary was ranked 26th in the NFL through week 7 of the 2019 season. They had allowed an average of 269.5 yards per game through the air. However, it's important to note that the Lions had played some tough passing offenses up to that point, including the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers.
Despite this ranking, the Lions secondary had some standout players. Cornerback Darius Slay had already racked up two interceptions on the season, and safety Tracy Walker had been a force in both the pass and run defense.
Interceptions
Speaking of interceptions, the Lions secondary was tied for 11th in the NFL through week 7 with six interceptions on the season. Darius Slay accounted for two of those interceptions, while cornerback Justin Coleman also had two interceptions to his name.
The Lions' ability to create turnovers was a key factor in their defensive success, and the secondary played a big role in that. The Lions defense as a whole had forced 11 turnovers through week 7, which was tied for 8th in the NFL.
Passer Rating Allowed
When it comes to passer rating allowed, the Lions secondary was ranked 10th in the NFL through week 7. They had allowed opposing quarterbacks to have a passer rating of just 84.3. This was a testament to the secondary's ability to limit big plays and force quarterbacks into making mistakes.
Cornerback Darius Slay was a big part of this success, as he had allowed just a 58.6 passer rating when targeted through week 7. This was the 4th best mark among qualifying cornerbacks in the NFL.
Red Zone Defense
The Lions secondary was also a big part of the team's success in red zone defense. Through week 7, the Lions had allowed touchdowns on just 44.4% of their opponents' red zone trips. This was good for 6th in the NFL.
Cornerback Rashaan Melvin was a standout in this area, as he had allowed just one touchdown in the red zone on the season through week 7.
Conclusion
While the Lions secondary may not have been ranked among the elite units in the NFL through week 7 of the 2019 season, they had some standout players and were a key part of the team's success on defense. Their ability to create turnovers, limit big plays, and excel in red zone defense was a testament to their talent and hard work.
As we look ahead to the future of the Lions secondary, there's reason for optimism. Cornerback Jeff Okudah was drafted with the 3rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the team has continued to invest in their defensive backfield. With a strong foundation in place, the Lions secondary has the potential to be a dominant force in the NFL for years to come.
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