Tag: nfl stats

Lions defense allowed the fewest rushing yards to opposing RBs in 2023

Detroit’s defense had some rough spots in 2023, but they were great at stopping the run by opposing RBs

The Detroit Lions defense had some issues in 2023, to be sure. Deep passes were a problem, as were defending quarterback runs. However, Aaron Glenn’s defense in 2023 thrived at one specific thing: stopping opposing running backs.

The Lions defense allowed the fewest rushing yards to running backs of any NFL team in the 2023 season. Opposing running backs totaled just 1,028 yards on the ground in 17 games.

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In terms of yards per carry to running backs, the Detroit defense finished third at 3.5 YPC, behind the Texans and Patriots. The Lions faced a lot fewer runs by RBs; the 296 attempts against Detroit were almost 100 fewer than Houston had to defend.  In fact, only the 49ers faced fewer rushing attempts by opposing RBs, with 265.

Even though San Francisco saw 31 fewer attempts, Detroit allowed 69 fewer yards to RBs. That’s a testament to the dedication to stopping the run. It’s a major improvement over 2022, when the Lions allowed the 12th-most rushing yards to RBs (1,683) and ranked 23rd in yards per carry to RBs (4.7).

 

All statistical data provided by Sports Info Solutions

Lions defense finished with the 2nd-best QB pressure rate in the league

Only the Miami Dolphins generated pressure on a higher percentage of opposing pass plays than Detroit did in 2023

There is still work to be done with the Detroit Lions passing defense, but the team did take a big step forward in one area in 2023. Aaron Glenn’s defense, keyed by second-year EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, finished second in the league in the 2023 regular season in pressuring the quarterback.

Detroit’s defense generated pressure on 41.4 percent of all opposing pass situations, including plays where the quarterback scrambled (but not designed runs). Only the Dolphins finished with a higher rate for the season. A pressure is considered only in the first 3.5 seconds of a pass play.

The range isn’t a huge spread; Miami recorded pressures on 44.5 percent of opposing dropbacks to top the league, while the Cardinals came in last at 30.5 percent. More than half the league — 20 teams —recorded pressure rates between 40.5 percent and 34.5 percent. That’s a variance of less than two per game, on average. The Lions finished tied for 15th in 2022 with a pressure rate of 34.5 percent.

The area where Detroit can really improve is in converting that outstanding pressure rate into sacks. Despite finishing second in pressure rate, the Lions defense ranked just 22nd in sack percentage at 6.6 percent, per Team Rankings.

All pressure rate data is from SIS.

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Lions have a distinct defensive advantage in a close game vs. the 49ers

The Lions defense is the best in the league in one key metric, and it’s one where the 49ers don’t matchup well too

The San Francisco 49ers have the better defense in the matchup with the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship game. No one would dispute that; San Francisco finished third in points per game and seventh in yards per play in the regular season, while Detroit finished 23rd and 28th, respectively, in those metrics.

Yet there’s one area where the Lions defense is the superior one. And it’s a very important one entering the matchup to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Per NFL Inside Edge, the Lions’ pass defense in crunch time has been excellent. Yes, really. From Inside Edge’s game matchup preview,

The Lions have allowed a passer rating of just 47.8 in close and late situations since the 2022 season — best in NFL.

 

The key for the Lions will be to get the game into a close game deep into Sunday’s contest in San Francisco. Along with the Lions pass defense stepping up in the clutch, that’s not where 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy succeeds.

Brock Purdy (SF) has a just 75.5 passer rating in late and close games since the 2022 season — 10th-worst of Qualified Quarterbacks.

The Lions defense rose to the occasion in last week’s win over the Buccaneers in this exact situation, with Derrick Barnes picking off Baker Mayfield to seal the game. The analytical statistics say they can do it again, too.