Full Breakdown
Stephen A. Smith Warns Detroit Lions’ Defense Must Improve After Narrow Win
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Season-Opener Review: Lions vs. Saints
Detroit built a 21-0 lead in the third quarter before the Saints rallied to tie the game at 24-24 and force overtime. Saints quarterback Tyler Shough amassed more than 400 passing yards, while the Lions’ defense surrendered 30 points and 469 total yards. The Lions managed five sacks and forced a few turnovers, an improvement over the previous season, but the overall defensive performance left Smith uneasy.
Stephen A. Smith’s Assessment
On ESPN’s *First Take*, Smith called the Lions “very, very concerned” and described the defense as “a huge, huge concern.” He noted that despite a “high-powered offense,” the unit “has fallen off” compared with last year. Smith also emphasized the need for the defense to tighten up before facing the Buffalo Bills, whose quarterback Josh Allen has never lost to Detroit.
Week 2 Stakes Against the Bills
The upcoming Thursday matchup pits the Lions against a Bills offense led by Allen, who is 3-0 against Detroit since 2018. Smith warned that if the Lions repeat the defensive lapses seen against New Orleans, they risk a decisive loss. He framed the game as a litmus test for the team’s ability to contend for the division and a playoff spot.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Detroit Lions, I am very, very concerned about them,” — Stephen A. Smith
- “I'm looking at you giving up 469 yards,” — Stephen A. Smith
- “Their offense is still potent without Ben Johnson. Their defense has fallen off, as far as I'm concerned,” — Stephen A. Smith
- “Detroit’s defense is a huge, huge concern for me. They have a high-powered offense; I know they had 5 sacks. I know they forced a few turnovers. That’s an improvement based upon last year,” — Stephen A. Smith
These statements capture Smith’s central critique: the Lions’ defense must elevate its play to match the offense’s potency if the team hopes to progress beyond a single-game survival.