Bill Belichick warns that the Detroit Lions may be vulnerable to skilled passing quarterbacks, citing their tendency to give opposing QBs ample time to locate targets.
The Lions currently lead the NFC North at 11-1, one game ahead of the Minnesota Vikings and two ahead of the Green Bay Packers, fueled by a high-powered offense that has scored 383 points.
However, the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach believes the key to defeating the Lions lies not in containing Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, or Jared Goff, but in exploiting their defensive flaws—a weakness he claims to have identified.
“They don’t generate much pressure on the quarterback,” Belichick stated on the Pat McAfee Show.
B“Most of their sacks come when the quarterback holds the ball too long.
“They haven’t been particularly effective in rushing the passer. The stats might look decent, but they’re misleading due to how long opposing quarterbacks hold the ball. I think they’ve gotten away with some gaps.
“It looks fine now, but I question if it’ll hold up against elite passing teams. I worry about how they’ll fare against a strong offensive opponent.
“If [Jordan] Love or [Sam] Darnold had played better, we might’ve seen their vulnerabilities exposed more clearly.”
What Makes the Lions Weak Against the Pass?
The Lions’ struggles could stem from the absence of Aidan Hutchinson, their top pass rusher, who suffered a season-ending injury after recording 7.5 sacks in the first five games of the 2024/25 season.
So far, the Lions have registered 30 sacks, ranking 17th in the NFL. The Denver Broncos lead with 47, followed by the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens.
Interestingly, the Lions rank third in interceptions with 14, trailing only the Vikings and Texans. This suggests a possible tactical shift to provide more time for quarterbacks while positioning deeper to counter receiving threats.
