Three and out: Lions' defense looks legit, but injuries will challenge sustainability
Here are three observations after a second viewing and a night to ponder the Detroit Lions’ 20-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Long-awaited arrival
As with anything this early in the NFL season, analysis and opinion carry the caveat of sample size. That said, after three long seasons, the Lions seemingly have pieced together a defense capable of regularly shouldering the load and carrying the team on a given Sunday.
It’s been a more arduous and frustrating rebuild contrasted against the team’s offense, but Detroit's draft-and-develop strategy is starting to pay anticipated dividends on the other side of the ball, while general manager Brad Holmes and his staff made the right veteran additions this offseason to get the unit over the hump.
Let’s start up front, with a defensive line that’s setting the tone each week. Aidan Hutchinson is transcending to superstar status before our eyes, making the incredibly difficult jump from very good to great. After these early-season matchups, where he’s racking up six, eight or 10 pressures, and finding a way to drop the quarterback weekly, opposing coaches are talking about him in game-wrecking terms. He requires special attention in the preconstructed plans and is still forcing second-half adjustments.