Was the defense better because Whitehead and Jackson didn’t play?

[DaveThePanther2008]

10 hours ago, ScottyAbe31 said:

Lions had 0 weapons on offence. Galloday and Amendola out leaving only Marvin Jones. Swift out leaving AP to carry the load since I guess Kerryon Johnson is in the doghouse. Stafford obviously hurting though he's average at best anyway.

Please don't give me the injury bullshyt.  CMC was out and so was our starting QB.  Injuries affect every team and have to use subs.  Our CB are young but could have been had but our D-Line did an amazing job today.

Jackson is a good CB but can't stay on the field.  The MLB is a very key position on the defense and that one player can affect the whole defense.  Carter played well and should be given the nod against the Vikings regardless if Whitehead is available to play. 

[philit99]

7 hours ago, NJPanthers12 said:

Lol what? Donte Jackson has been good this year.

It depends, in coverage he has been ok. In the run game, not only terrible but teams use him against us. Other teams were creating ISO matchups because Jackson would not tackle or hell even try to tackle the ball carrier. I think this defense had addition by subtraction today. Someone else pointed out the fact that we started mixing up blitzes, and using stunts and dogs up front. It made a world of difference and players like Brian Burns began to shine. Detroit may not have brought their A game, but they have a NFL caliber offensive line that has won games this year. Our defense confused and pushed their Oline around today. The game was won in the trenches like so many games in the history of the NFL.

[Ricky Spanish]

8 hours ago, NJPanthers12 said:

Lol what? Donte Jackson has been good this year.

Nah. He's been pretty bad.

He has 3 picks, two were terrible throws that happened to be aimed right at Jackson, and one was a legitimately good read on the QB where he broke on the ball. 

He's been getting burned a ton, he can't tackle, and he gets out bodied by any receiver bigger than him (which is all of them). 

Our best corner this year has surprisingly been Corn Elder.

[DeAngelo Beason]

I think everything about this game is an overreaction.  Stafford was banged up, and in general the Lions were utterly depleted on offense.  We played well, but I think we're patting the boys on the back a little too much.  

[Khyber53]

12 hours ago, hepcat said:

First shutout since 2015 today. Noticeably better defensive performance without notorious underperformers in Tahir Whitehead and Donte Jackson. Coincidence? Or something that needed to happen 7 games ago?

Also, that cussing out of the team by Shaq seemed to have worked. Aggressive team play and a lot of discipline in covering of gaps and tackling.

[MHS831]

2 minutes ago, Khyber53 said:

Also, that cussing out of the team by Shaq seemed to have worked. Aggressive team play and a lot of discipline in covering of gaps and tackling.

The tackling was better---we were giving up 3 or 4 first downs a game after missed tackles.

[TheCasillas]

10 hours ago, electro's horse said:

What does the toe have to do with him not making a single tackle all year?

Probably about 95% of it. Not being able to push off or support your weight plays a big role.

poo, I’d I stub my toe, just like everything average human, I can barely walk. 
 

yet we are over here criticizing someone’s play with a seriously sprained toe ......

[Khyber53]

1 minute ago, MHS831 said:

The tackling was better---we were giving up 3 or 4 first downs a game after missed tackles.

The biggest factor in this game was that we actually made the opposing team punt... multiple times. If our D can get the other team's offense off the field, we can win games. This more aggressive style should be the one to use from here on out. 

[electro's horse]

31 minutes ago, DeAngelo Beason said:

I think everything about this game is an overreaction.  Stafford was banged up, and in general the Lions were utterly depleted on offense.  We played well, but I think we're patting the boys on the back a little too much.  

who was hurt besides that one running back? 

And Stafford has been banged up since he entered the league that's nothing new. 

[DeAngelo Beason]

3 minutes ago, electro's horse said:

who was hurt besides that one running back? 

And Stafford has been banged up since he entered the league that's nothing new. 

Golladay and Amendola were both out as well.

[panthers55]

14 hours ago, ScottyAbe31 said:

This a thread regarding defensive play. Who we were missing on offence does not affect who our defence faced.

Actually it does. Our offense scoring points and occupying the clock limits their offensive opportunities and field position. Additionally playing with a lead limits what Detroit could  do to get back into the game running the ball for example. One side of the ball effects the other side and football is the ultimate team sport.

[cmichd08]

14 hours ago, hepcat said:

First shutout since 2015 today. Noticeably better defensive performance without notorious underperformers in Tahir Whitehead and Donte Jackson. Coincidence? Or something that needed to happen 7 games ago?

Something that need to happen before the season even started.

 

[Varking]

Jackson has missed time in just about every game this season due to his toe injury. Despite that he is second on the team in passes defended. Only Douglas has more. 
 

The more telling stat is that the Carolina Panthers have 5 interceptions as a team. Jackson has three of them and no other single player has two. Burris has one and Chinn has one. When the ball is in the air the only guy on our roster who can take it away from the opposing team with any regularity is the guy y’all want to bench. 
 

I have no defense of Whitehead. He’s a bad fit here. 

[CRA]

1 hour ago, DeAngelo Beason said:

Golladay and Amendola were both out as well.

Golladay is legit too.  

so they basically were missing the #1 and #3 WR and best RB.  Stafford a busted thumb on his throwing hand. 

I mean if we are honest our great defensive showing that looked unlike anything we have seen all year....had a lot to do with the Lions injuries.