Bears vs. Lions: Defensive Improvement Makes Detroit Unstoppable

With the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers tied atop the NFC North with 5-0 records, the odds of both making the playoffs is extremely high right now. But the Lions’ underrated defense will carry them to the division title this season.

All of the headlines go to Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson because of their dominance through five games, and though they have been great, the biggest reason that this team is off to its best start since 1956 is the defense.

They rank fourth in the NFL in points allowed per game (17.8) and 12th in yards allowed (339.2). The defensive line is starting to find its rhythm, and they are starting to get after opposing quarterbacks.

They have 12 sacks thus far, and with Nick Fairley working his way back into playing shape, they should get even more dominant.

As Chris Burke of SI.com wrote, the depth on the defensive line is ridiculous and will carry this team in the dog days of December.

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Nothing feels out of the question anymore in Detroit, for that matter.

Not with a defensive line so deep head coach Jim Schwartz should make the players on it take a number waiting to get in the game. Not with Stafford and Johnson dominating opposing defenses. Not with a team and a fan base that, after so many years of being a league laughingstock, has every reason to believe in what’s happening on the field.

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The Lions needed to see growth and development from their defensive players, especially in the secondary, if they wanted to take the next step. They have not only gotten that so far, but they are getting better each week.

The Packers are the defending Super Bowl champions with the glamorous quarterback, unstoppable offense and a defense that has the potential to be dominant. But to this point, their defense has struggled, mainly the secondary, and they have been vulnerable at times.

The Lions are a more complete team than the Packers right now, and they should be considered the favorites in the NFC North.

Detroit is not going away. It is time to give the devil his due and take this team seriously. Not just as a playoff contender, but as the best team in the NFL. They have proved it through the first five weeks of the season and will continue to do it over the next 11 weeks.