Daily DLP: How Bad was the Lions D in 2025? - Detroit Lions Podcast

Daily DLP: How Bad was the Lions D in 2025? - Detroit Lions Podcast

From The Detroit Lions Podcast by Detroit Lions Podcast

July 14, 2026 · 29 min

About this episode

The episode analyzes the performance of the Detroit Lions defense in 2025, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses despite a poor scoring defense ranking.

The Detroit Lions defense in 2025 was not bad, it was untimely. They ranked 22nd in scoring defense but finished 17th in yards allowed per game and ninth on third downs, and Pro Football Focus graded them as a top-five defense overall. The real issue was explosive plays and situational lapses at key moments. Was the Detroit Lions defense actually bad in 2025? No. The unit performed better than its reputation. As Jeff Risdon noted, the Lions were 22nd in points allowed, 17th in yards per game at 332.8, and middle of the pack at 5.4 yards per play. Crucially, they allowed a 36.9 percent third-down conversion rate, which ranked ninth, while the offense converted 38.8 percent, 19th. That disconnect fuels the perception. The defense was on the field in tough spots and failed at the worst times, which is different from being bad snap-to-snap. Which numbers explain the gap between strong grades and points allowed? Excellent. PFF’s cumulative defensive grade for Detroit was 81.8, fifth overall, with a 78.5 run defense grade that ranked fourth. Tackling graded at 74.9, second behind the Green Bay Packers. The pass rush ranked fifth, and pressure rate ranked fourth, with help from Detroit…

People in this episode

Host: Detroit Lions Podcast

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pro Football Focus, Detroit Lions

Places: Green Bay Packers

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