DJ Reed Shines as Lions Secondary Delivers Much-Needed Bounce-Back Performance

All week, the biggest concern surrounding the Detroit Lions was their defense. Surprisingly enough, the unit showed significant improvement this week, allowing the Arizona Cardinals to score just 21 points, including a garbage-time touchdown at the very end of the game.

Detroit managed to shut down Arizona’s top wide receiver, Michael Wilson, holding him to just 30 receiving yards on four receptions and seven targets. The cornerbacks played well overall, and although Arizona doesn’t have the most dangerous offense, it was encouraging to see the Lions’ secondary perform at a higher level.

Detroit ran a lot of man coverage, which helped lead to a strong performance from DJ Reed. Reed earned an 80.0 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, the second-highest mark among Lions defenders. Reed also recorded a 78.9 coverage grade, allowing just four receptions on seven targets for 30 yards.

Ennis Rakestraw played just 35 snaps but still finished with the fourth-highest defensive grade on the Lions, earning a 71.0 overall mark. He also posted a 71.2 coverage grade, the second-highest among Detroit cornerbacks.

Roger McCreary, meanwhile, received a surprisingly low 52.9 overall defensive grade and a 46.2 coverage grade. However, I have to disagree with PFF’s assessment. McCreary recorded six pass deflections against Arizona, tying the franchise’s single-game record with Bryant Westbrook, who accomplished the feat on Oct. 19, 2000. Anytime a cornerback records six pass deflections in a single game, I believe that performance deserves a more respectable grade.

Keith Abney earned a 59.9 defensive grade but still came away with an interception, the first by a Lions cornerback this season and Detroit’s first interception since Week 1. Although Abney was playing safety, he is still technically listed as a cornerback, so it somewhat counts.

Another player who finally had a strong performance was Jack Campbell. He earned a 79.2 defensive grade and a 76.6 coverage grade. Campbell was targeted four times, allowing three receptions for just 22 yards.

Campbell did surrender a nine-yard touchdown reception to Trey McBride at the very end of the game, but McBride made one of the most impressive catches of the season. The Cardinals tight end hauled in an incredible toe-tap grab while juggling the ball, despite Campbell providing tight coverage. Given how well Campbell defended the play, I wouldn’t necessarily fault him for the touchdown.

Although the box score shows Jacoby Brissett throwing for 292 passing yards, that number doesn’t tell the entire story. Brissett accumulated 60 passing yards on Arizona’s final drive, which came primarily against Detroit’s backups during garbage time. If you take away those yards, the Lions allowed Brissett to throw for 232 yards, a much more respectable number.

Overall, Detroit’s defense took a step in the right direction against Arizona. The secondary showed improvement, Reed and Rakestraw delivered strong performances, and Campbell had one of his better outings of the season. While there is still work to do, holding the Cardinals to 14 points before their late garbage-time touchdown was an encouraging sign for a defense that desperately needed a bounce-back performance.