ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions are proving themselves as a legitimate contender for the Super Bowl, meeting high expectations this season.
“I believe we have the capability to defeat any team in the league,” stated coach Dan Campbell on Monday.
Boasting a remarkable 7-1 record, the Lions find themselves in a position not seen since 1956, all while coping with the absence of eight essential defensive players, including Aidan Hutchinson. They are also riding an impressive six-game winning streak, a feat not achieved since 1995.
As the reigning champions of the NFC North, the Lions currently lead their conference and have emerged victorious against division rivals Green Bay and Minnesota in away games.
“We’re in a good space at the moment,” Campbell remarked.
However, the team is in urgent need of reinforcements for their defensive line. Hutchinson, along with Marcus Davenport and John Cominsky, are sidelined due to injuries, while Josh Paschal is out due to illness.
The likelihood of a trade occurring before the NFL’s deadline on Tuesday remains uncertain, as expressed by Campbell.
“It’s hard to predict if Brad Holmes, our general manager, will finalize a deal,” he noted. “What I can say is that we are actively exploring options—Brad is diligently working on it.”
“We’ve examined all possibilities, made numerous inquiries, and he’s been hard at work. There’s still time to see how this plays out.”
Should Holmes conclude that the cost of acquiring a defensive end exceeds what the team is willing to invest, Campbell has an alternative strategy in mind.
“If we don’t land someone, we’ll look into other practice squads,” he said. “We’ll seek out players we’ve had our eye on during college, who have talent, and see if they can progress. In the meantime, we’ll continue to give opportunities to our current roster.”
**Strengths of the Team**
The Lions’ offense is thriving. Quarterback Jared Goff has achieved a completion rate of 82.8% over the last six weeks and boasts an impressive passer rating of 140.1—setting a record for the best six-game stretch by a quarterback with a minimum of 100 attempts.
In his last 30 targets, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has successfully caught every pass aimed his way, extending his streak to six consecutive games with a touchdown reception, equaling the franchise record set by Herman Moore in 1994.
This season, the Lions have rushed for over 100 yards and scored a touchdown in each of their first eight games—a milestone not reached since 1936. Running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are reaping the benefits of one of the top offensive lines in the league.
Notably, Gibbs is the first player in NFL history to maintain an average of over five yards per carry across a seven-game period while receiving 10 or more rushing attempts each game.
**Areas for Improvement**
The team has room for growth in its ability to sack opposing quarterbacks. Hutchinson had recorded 7.5 sacks before sustaining a leg injury in a dominant 47-9 victory against Dallas; his absence has been felt profoundly.
In the three games without him, the Lions have managed merely one sack from their defensive line.
**Players on the Rise**
Safety Kerby Joseph has made waves with six interceptions, tying him for the highest total in the NFL. He is the first safety to achieve 14 or more interceptions in his initial three seasons since Ed Reed’s Hall of Fame career began from 2002 to 2004.
With contributions from Joseph and Brian Branch, the Lions have registered interceptions in each of their first eight games this season, marking the first occurrence in over four decades.
**Concerns**
Wide receiver Jameson Williams faced suspension for the last two games due to a violation of the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy, adding to previous troubles that kept him off the field for three games last year for gambling. Notably, the team has continued to thrive without his speed on the field.
**Injury Update**
Paschal has been absent for two consecutive games after undergoing a routine check-up related to his status after cancer treatment for a foot condition diagnosed in 2018 while he was at Kentucky.
Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez missed the game against the Packers due to an ankle injury but is expected to return for Sunday night’s matchup with Houston.
**Significant Statistic**
A remarkable statistic highlights that St. Brown had a mere 0.0001% chance of successfully catching 30 consecutive passes, taking into account the complexity of each throw, according to NFL’s NextGen statistics.
**Looking Ahead**
The Lions need to evaluate what they are willing to pay for edge rushers as they approach the trade deadline, all while preparing for a game against the AFC South-leading Texans.