Lions' secondary issues might be what ends playoff hopes in 2026 image
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Detroit Lions are 1-1 to begin the 2026 NFL season, but there is some major concern with this team moving forward in 2026.
While the offense has looked great, scoring 31 points in both Weeks 1 and 2, their defense has been a total liability. They gave up 30 points to the New Orleans Saints and then 41 to the Buffalo Bills. It's been a rough start for the Lions' defense.
Things are off to such a poor start that ESPN analyst Dan Graziano is legitimately worried this defense, and mainly the secondary, will keep the Lions out of the playoffs this year.
ESPN analyst worried Lions' defense will keep them from the playoffs
"The Lions' defense is going to keep them out of the playoffs again," Graziano writes. "Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION."
Detroit might have a great offense, but their very questionable defense has Graziano very concerned about whether this Lions team can make a playoff run this year.
Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch are out and will miss the next two weeks, but they should return and be a huge help for the secondary.
But it's unlikely they'll be able to make enough of a difference considering how poor this defense has played through the first two weeks of the season.
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The Lions defense allowed Tyler Shough of the Saints to throw for 410 yards and three touchdowns on 56 attempts. They did pick him off twice, but Shough's overall production was still good enough to put the Saints one two-point try away from a win.
Josh Allen of the Bills went 20-for-31 for 248 yards, which isn't anything overly worrisome, but the three passing touchdowns allowed and no turnovers are something worth worrying about.
Even though Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, Jameson Williams, and Jahmyr Gibbs might make for an incredible offensive personnel, the defense is a major problem for this Lions team.
Graziano is worried the defense will keep the Lions out of the playoffs, and if there's one part of the defense that could end the season, it's the weak secondary.
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