By Jacob Teets
Just like in recent years, the season isn’t starting off the way Detroit Lions fans would have preferred, with a measly record of 1-3. Despite what the scoreboards are telling fans, this Lions team is different from what was seen in the past five years.
The Detroit Lions have scored 140 offensive points in just the first four games of the season, according to footballdb.com. Along with the insane number of points the Lions have already scored, they also lead the entire NFL in both points and yards per game.
Nobody expected numbers like that after four games this season. Jared Goff is off to an unbelievable season, throwing for 1,126 passing yards already. Along with 11 passing touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s already a third of the way to his total passing yards from last season, which was 3,245 in 14 games played.
So far, offensive success can be attributed to players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jamaal Williams, T.J. Hockenson, and D’Andre Swift. Hockenson was a big contributor in the attempt to win against the Seahawks on Oct. 4. He also put up an unfathomable 8 receptions, 179 receiving yard performance.
Hockenson’s 179 receiving yards is not only a Lions team record in tight end yards, but it is now the most receiving yards put up by a tight end in NFL history. He is a guy who I personally was questioning coming into this season. He’s had three subpar seasons up to this point in his career. I’m hoping the most recent game gives him the confidence he needs to step up his game for the remainder of the season.
All these huge offensive outbursts will make a Lions fan assume a good start, like 2-2 or 3-1.
Now it’s time to get into the biggest issue with the 2022 Detroit Lions. The defense. While the offense has scored the most points in the NFL this season, the defense has given up the most points by a team this season. Footballdb.com shows that the Lions have given up the most points per game at 35.2, the most total yards allowed at 1,779, and the most total yards per game allowed at 444.8. Those are atrocious numbers to have, with only four games played.
One of the most glaring issues is the receiving numbers the defensive backs are giving up to opposing receivers. In two of the four games played, A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf had 150 receiving yards. Weeks two and three found the defense was still giving up around 70 yards of passing. However, everything is not all negative, as Aidan Hutchinson is having a great start to his rookie campaign. He’s accumulated 12 total tackles and three sacks in his first four games; those three sacks coming against Washington in week two.
So, with the Lions looking forward to their week five matchup with the Patriots, what should we expect?
I’m expecting a Lions offense that is hot to continue their streak of success. With the status of St. Brown and Swift currently up in the air, I expect another good performance from Hockenson.
I hope for the defense to run rampant on a not-so-good Patriots offense. Whichever result we get, the fans and I are just hoping the Lions can come out of the next game with a record of 2-3, sparking some fire into the defense along with the victory.
