The most shocking statistic you’ll see all week is that the Detroit Lions have allowed the lowest opposing quarterback passer rating through the first 14 weeks of the 2024 NFL season. Along the way to a 12-1 start, the Lions are allowing a cumulative passer rating of 76.5, which is a significant improvement over the 93.1 that Aaron Glenn’s unit gave up in 2023, which placed them 23rd out of 32 NFL teams. Passer rating includes completion percentage, yards per catch, touchdowns vs. INTs, and more. Give credit to the coverage, especially the redesigned Detroit secondary.
Detroit replaced Cam Sutton, Jerry Jacobs, Tracy Walker, and others with Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, and Amik Robertson, as well as a wise decision to install Brian Branch as a full-time safety after spending his rookie season in the slot. The investment in improving coverage has already paid off.
Davis, who signed as a free agency, is the NFL’s highest-graded cover corner over the last month, according to PFF measurements. The team’s first-round pick, Arnold has been very good in coverage, albeit bit of a penalty magnet. Robertson has been consistent in the slot and does an excellent job of limiting yards after the catch. As a result, Branch and Kerby Joseph, the safety combination, have been free to take more playmaking chances, which has proven effective. Joseph has a league-best seven INTs. Branch has already surpassed his interception and single tackle totals from his outstanding rookie year. The vision and coordination of the two safeties have also been very beneficial in overall coverage.
The Lions finished the 2023 season with a PFF coverage grade of 51.6, enough for 30th place. That grade jumped to 82.4 through Week 14, which is the fourth-best in the league. The redesigned secondary and more aggressive man-coverage strategy by Glenn and his defensive staff deserve some of the credit for the significant defensive improvement, especially because the QB pressure rate and sack rate are almost the same as in 2023.