When it comes to passing defenses in the NFL this season, there are none like the Detroit Lions who make sure every opposing quarterback has their best game of the year.
During the nine games this season, the Detroit Lions defense has allowed quarterbacks to complete 71% of their passes while averaging 271.7 yards per game. Both statistics are ranked last in the NFL.
The same could be said for the 126 passing first downs the Lions defense has allowed. Surprisingly the opposition averages only 35.2 passing attempts per game, which is ranked 22nd in the NFL.
Here is a breakdown of each quarterback’s performance this season.
Wk 1 Drew Brees – 76.5% Comp, 358 Yds, 6 Tds, 1 Int, 137 QB Rating
Wk 2 Brett Favre – 85.2% Comp, 155 Yds, 2 Tds, 0 Int, 115.3 QB Rating
Wk 3 Jason Campbell – 65.9% Comp, 340 Yds, 2 Tds, 1 Int, 97.6 QB Rating
Wk 4 Jay Cutler – 64.3% Comp, 141 Yds, 2 Tds, 0 Int, 100.4 QB Rating
Wk 5 Ben Roethlisberger – 76.7% Comp, 277 Yds, 3 Tds, 1 Int, 123.9 QB Rating
Wk 7 Aaron Rodgers – 78.4% Comp, 358 Yds, 2 Tds, 1 Int, 113.7 QB Rating
Wk 8 Marc Bugler – 48.6% Comp, 176 Yds, 0 Td, 1 Int, 51.6 QB Rating
Wk 9 Matt Hasselbeck – 76.5% Comp, 329 Yds, 1 Td, 1 Int, 91.1 QB Rating
Wk 10 Brett Favre – 69% comp, 344 Yds, 1 TD, 0 Int, 120.50 QB Rating
When you take a closer look at the statistics there are some disturbing trends for the Lions defense. Five times this season, the opposing quarterbacks have passed for more than 300 yards and have completed more than 75% of their passes six times.
When it comes to the quarterback rating, the opposing quarterbacks have broken the 100 rating barrier six times. The only quarterback they have been able to keep in check was the St. Louis Rams Marc Bugler, though it did little good because the Rams still won the game.
While the defense allowed 17 passing touchdowns during the first six games of the season, they have buckled down and allowed only two touchdowns in the last three games.
What does all of this mean for the Cleveland Browns who will be taking on the Detroit Lions this weekend?
Brady Quinn, who will be the starting quarterback this season, has had little success this season. Year to date, Quinn has completed 54.6% of his passes for 508 yards with one touchdown and five interceptions.
His best performance came during week one of the season where he completed 60% of his passes for 205 yards with one passing touchdown and one interception. His worst performance was last week when he completed 41% of his passes for 99 yards and two interceptions.
The battle between Quinn and the Lions passing defense will ultimately decide which teams come out the victory in this atrocious game. A bad performance by Quinn will not just ensure a loss for the Browns but create even more quarterback controversy in Cleveland.
One thing is for sure, the Lions will need to complete a major overhaul on their defense during the off-season if they are going to improve for next year.
While I thought Brady Quinn would do well, I did not expect him to toss 4 touchdowns with 304 yards.
Actually, he threw for five TD’s.
Stafford tossed five touchdowns and 2 picks, while Quinn tossed 4 touchdowns. Either way I doubt anyone expected that kind of production.