How the Detroit Lions Defense Shut Down Teddy Bridgewater, Vikings Offense

The Detroit Lions took the NFL's top-ranked defense to Minnesota in Week 6. After rocking the Vikings 17-3 and holding rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and his offense to just 212 total yards, the top ranking rolls onward.

"

How good of a defense Lions has been this season? The gap between them and 2nd best is the same as the gap between 2nd best and 7th best.

— BeastMode (@BeastFBall) October 13, 2014"

With a nod to the tightly knit heavy-metal band Trivium, here is how the Lions defense continued its ascendance to the top of the NFL charts.

Like Light to the Flies

One of the biggest factors in Detroit's defensive success was attacking Minnesota's left tackle, Matt Kalil. 

He came into Sunday's game as one of the NFL's worst starters at any position. His Pro Football Focus grade (subscription required) was minus-13.3 after five games, with four of his first five contests firmly in the red. 

The Lions saw that red and put the bull's-eye firmly on Kalil, attacking him relentlessly. It paid off handsomely, as PFF accounted him four sacks and three QB hurries. 

This is smart football from defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. Sometimes teams try to get cute or prove how smart and creative they are, losing focus on the more obvious plan of attack. Not Austin and the Lions defense.

Kalil talked last week about gaining confidence despite his rough start, per the Star Tribune's Matt Vensel. After what Ziggy Ansah did to him on Sunday, it's hard to imagine any motivational speaker lifting Kalil's chin up.

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Ziggy had everything on Sunday. Speed off the line, hand use to create space/control, bend to tightly turn the corner, awareness to swipe.

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) October 13, 2014"

Ansah was a monster. The Lions' 2013 first-round pick embarrassed the Vikings' 2012 first-round pick. How easy was it for Ziggy to best Kalil? Judge for yourself:

As Bleacher Report colleague Brandon Alisoglu noted,

"

I knew Kalil was bad, but wow. On strip-sack, Ziggy just hit his hands and ran by him. Athletic by Ansah, but gross for 1st round LT. #lions

— Brandon Alisoglu (@BrandonAlisoglu) October 13, 2014"

Kalil's abysmal performance pushed him deeper into ignominy. According to PFF, not only is he the lowest-rated tackle, but Kalil now owns the lowest grade of any offensive player in the entire league. 

Kudos to the Lions for identifying the weak point and flocking to it like moths to a flame. 

Villainy Thrives

Detroit forced three turnovers, the most takeaways it has in a game this season. Stealing the ball back from the opposing offense is the best way to create opportunities for Detroit's own struggling offensive unit.

The first takeaway snuffed out Minnesota's first drive, yanking the power from the amped up Vikings running attack. Detroit's defense didn't panic. Instead, it baited a rookie quarterback into a bad throw and an easy interception.

This was Bridgewater's first pass attempt of the game. The condensed area to defend actually helped Detroit here because it freed Glover Quin to be more aggressive in attacking the route. The veteran safety knew where this throw was going before Bridgewater even threw it.

"

Locating the single-high safety is such an elementary concept on the double post that Teddy threw INT on. Game really sped up for him on Sun

— Darren Page (@DarrenPage) October 13, 2014"

The other two takeaways were products of opportunism facilitated by great pressure from the front. Both were interceptions by linebacker Tahir Whitehead. 

His first pick came on a play where pressure forced poor mechanics by Bridgewater. With Ndamukong Suh closing in from the front and Jason Jones crashing from the side, the rookie shortens his step and rushes the throw to his safety valve, Matt Asiata.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

Because Bridgewater doesn't step into the throw, his accuracy is off the mark. The hard ball (highighted in yellow) bounces high off the running back's hands, enough time for Whitehead (No. 59) to close from 12 yards away and snatch the ball from the air. 

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

There is nothing more rewarding for the defense than forcing a turnover. When the Lions are creating opportunities and in the proper positions, stealing the ball back from the offense is that much easier. They did a great job against the rookie quarterback here.

In Waves

One of the best things about Detroit's defensive performance was the depth with which it attacked. The Lions brought waves of fresh bodies, crashing over the battered Vikings line.

Seven different Lions contributed at least half a sack, led by Ansah's 2.5 bags. The pride smelled blood and rushed in for repeated kills.

Austin continually rotated linemen in and out. All nine active linemen played at least 12 snaps. 

"

Lions have a good thing going at DE. Jason Jones played 54%, Johnson (53%), Ansah (49%) and Tapp (35%). Keeping guys fresh and producing

— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) October 13, 2014"

Here's an example of the impact of fresh bodies against fatigued offensive linemen. Once again, Kalil is the victim. This time it's a twist with some well-rested legs.

Ansah crashes into Kalil, driving him backward and inside with a terrific bull rush. Jones slow-plays his initial rush and subsequently loops around Ansah. Jones creates the pressure on Bridgewater, and Ansah separates off the guard to finish with the sack.

In the video, take notice of how much faster all the Lions look than their Vikings counterparts. Having quality depth and, more importantly, using that depth wisely gave the Lions defense a major advantage.

Put all that together, and it's beautiful defensive music hitting like a double bass drum behind a primal scream over a heavy dual-guitar lick. The Lions rocked the Vikings, and they can continue the drubbing when the 2014 tour takes them back home to Motown to face the New Orleans Saints next Sunday. 

All snap counts and advanced stats are from Pro Football Focus (subscription required for premium content).