Detroit Lions' performance against Chargers makes you wonder if defense is just a mirage
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Free Press columnist Carlos Monarrez tackles three tough questions after the Detroit Lions’ 41-38 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday at SoFi Stadium:
What happened to the Lions’ defense?
Someone must have kidnapped the Lions’ real defense and substituted 11 imposters instead, Scooby-Doo style. Actually, it was no laughing matter how poorly the defense played while allowing the Chargers to come back from a 17-3 deficit and score touchdowns on five straight possessions. Sieves stop water better the Lions stopped anyone wearing a bolt on their helmet Sunday. The Lions entered the game with the No. 5 overall defense, but it’s fair to wonder if that wasn’t somewhat of a mirage that came with the help of shutting out bad offenses like the Bucs, Raiders and Falcons. The Chargers have a good offense led by an excellent quarterback and good play-caller, but the Chargers have the kind of offense that the Lions will be expected to stop in the playoffs.
WHAT A PLAY: David Montgomery's 75-yard touchdown run longest in 12 years for Lions
What was the most encouraging part of the Lions’ game?
It has to be the return of running back David Montgomery, who missed the past two games with a rib injury. Jahmyr Gibbs looked great in Montgomery’s absence and looks a lot like the player the Lions once hoped Jahvid Best would become if he could have stayed healthy. But Montgomery adds an entirely different gear and allows the Lions to play a brand of football that combines speed, power and finesse. His beautiful, ballet-like toe-tapping 75-yard run is a prime example of his potency. When both are clicking, as they were Sunday while combining for 193 yards and three touchdowns, the Lions’ run game is going to be a fearsome force that could carry them a long way in the postseason.
How crazy was this game?
If you’re a fan of offensive football, it was a great battle of virtuoso play-calling from the Lions’ Ben Johnson and the Chargers’ Kellen Moore. The Chargers entered as the eighth-ranked scoring offense at 25.1 points per game; the Lions ninth at 25.0. Moore did a great job keeping the Bolts’ offense churning by riding Justin Herbert’s talented arm and taking advantage of mismatches. But it was Johnson who showed off his poetic artistry, calling the wondering screen on Amon-Ra St. Brown’s 20-yard touchdown and the seam pass to tight end Brock Wright. But if you’re a fan of defensive football, you probably wanted to throw your remote through the TV screen.
Contact Carlos Monarrez: cmonarrez@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Was the Detroit Lions’ defensive improvement a mirage vs. bad teams?
