Lions' Roaring Start Awakens Hopes in Detroit
The 2024 NFL season has been nothing short of remarkable for the Detroit Lions. With a stellar 10-1 record through the first eleven weeks, the Lions are enjoying their best start since 1934. This impressive performance has sent ripples of excitement through Detroit, a city that has long yearned for football success.
A key factor powering the Lions' resurgence is their balanced, top-tier performance across offense, defense, and special teams. The team sits comfortably within the top ten in Expected Points Added (EPA) per game, a measure that underscores their dominance on both sides of the ball as well as in special teams.
Defensive Prowess
Defensively, the Lions are formidable. Allowing only 16.6 points per game this season, they boast the second-stingiest defense in the NFL. The Lions’ defense has become increasingly robust since Week 6, following an injury to key player Aidan Hutchinson. Without missing a beat, the team stepped up, averaging just 15.3 points allowed per game.
Recent games have seen the Lions' defense elevate to an elite level, holding opponents to under seven points in consecutive matchups heading into Thanksgiving. Remarkably, they have not conceded a touchdown in ten straight quarters, a feat seldom achieved in the league.
Sensational Safeties: Joseph and Branch
Integral to this defensive juggernaut are safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. Joseph, a third-round pick from the 2022 draft, has established himself as a dynamic force. He is the only player since 2000 with over 200 tackles and 15 interceptions in his first 40 starts—a testament to his exceptional playmaking ability.
Branch, a second-round selection in 2023, complements Joseph with his tenacity and vision. In just 25 career games, he has surpassed 125 tackles and defended more than 25 passes. Together, Joseph and Branch have intercepted 11 passes this season, without allowing a touchdown in coverage. Their excellence is further highlighted by their ability to hold opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of 20.0 or below when targeted—a rare and commendable feat.
Restricting the Aerial Assault
The Lions have effectively neutralized deep threats, allowing only one completion on throws of 20 or more air yards inside the numbers all season. This aspect of their defensive strategy forces opponents to routinely reconsider their downfield aerial attacks, contributing significantly to the Lions’ defensive successes.
Special Teams Making a Difference
Complementing their defensive efforts, the Lions’ special teams have been crucial in maintaining their top 10 EPA ranking. Consistent performances in all phases have allowed Detroit to capitalize on field position and turnover opportunities—often the deciding factors in close NFL contests.
As the Lions push through the remainder of the season, their exceptional start has catalyzed aspirations of postseason glory. The city of Detroit, with its storied sports history, has witnessed moments of joy and heartbreak, but if the Lions' current trajectory continues, they may very well deliver a season to remember. While the ultimate outcome remains to be seen, the Lions have certainly given their fans plenty of reasons to roar. As they return to the grueling weekly grind, this Detroit team is intent on forging a path to success, crafting a legacy that could reignite a proud football tradition.