The Lions’ victory highlighted areas for improvement as they look to solidify their standing moving forward. Following a much-needed 20-13 road win against the Arizona Cardinals after a disappointing loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Detroit Lions showcased their ability to resolve some issues, particularly their red zone performance. They converted both of their red zone opportunities into touchdowns, a significant improvement.
However, there are still two critical aspects the Lions must address:
Penalties That Hurt
While penalties are an inevitable part of football, the Lions have been consistently committing damaging fouls that have detrimental effects on their games. This season, they’ve racked up seven defensive pass interference penalties, which can shift momentum and position. Although the defense has shown marked improvement, these spot fouls are problematic. Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold has been responsible for four of these penalties, which has put extra pressure on the unit.
Additionally, there have been several unnecessary roughness calls, such as the one on Jalen Reeves-Maybin during the recent game. Diving onto a pile of players already tackling quarterback Kyler Murray resulted in an avoidable 15-yard penalty and a new set of downs for the Cardinals. Eliminating these errors will be essential for maintaining defensive integrity.
Capitalizing on Turnovers
Another pressing concern is the Lions’ inability to take advantage of turnovers. Despite forcing five turnovers this season, they have yet to convert any of these opportunities into points, missing out on touchdowns or even field goals. In the game against the Cardinals alone, they forced three turnovers but failed to score off any of them. This inability to capitalize on crucial moments is particularly disheartening, especially considering how it affected their chances in previous games.
If the Lions can rectify these two issues—reducing penalties and effectively exploiting turnovers—they have the potential to become a dominant force each week. As October approaches, the focus will be on refining their performance and ensuring they capitalize on every opportunity that comes their way.