After securing a hard-fought 34-31 win against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night, the Detroit Lions’ secondary took the opportunity to respond to the disrespect they had been receiving leading up to the game. Despite missing key players and being doubted by both the media and Packers players, the Lions proved their worth.
Responding to the Disrespect
Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold spoke out about the “chippy” nature of the game, noting that the Packers had been taunting them with verbal jabs. “They were talking a lot of trash,” Arnold said. “But one thing about us—we don’t take disrespect lightly. We make sure it gets addressed.”
Arnold also took aim at pregame predictions, particularly regarding Jordan Love’s anticipated performance. “That was disrespectful,” he added. “They expected a lot from him, but he ended up with just 200 yards. And we gave up some garbage plays.”
Battling Through Injuries
The Lions’ defense, despite missing several key players—especially from the front seven—held firm, limiting the Packers to under 300 total yards of offense. Defensive tackle Alim McNeill was forced out of the game due to a head injury, further testing the team’s depth.
Safety Kerby Joseph praised the Lions’ front office and coaching staff for building a resilient defense. “Brad Holmes and AG (Aaron Glenn) really know how to bring in the right guys. They get it. They understand the assignment,” Joseph said.
Defiance and Belief
Cornerback Amik Robertson was quick to express his belief that the Packers were not as formidable as they appeared. “We’re the real dogs out here,” Robertson said. “We’re the hunters, not the hunted. I know what they really are—a good team, but also a lot of pretenders.”
Carlton Davis III echoed that sentiment, adding, “We don’t care about what people are saying on the outside. The analysts can talk all they want, but it’s up to us to focus and execute.”
Playing with Heart
Arnold also emphasized the Lions’ quiet confidence. “We don’t need to talk to the media and make a show of it,” he said. “We just go out there and do our job. And CD (Carlton Davis) was out there with a cast on his hand!”
The Lions’ defense showed incredible resilience, poise, and determination, shutting down the Packers and proving their critics wrong. Under Dan Campbell’s leadership, and with a secondary that believes in itself, Detroit has proven they can compete at the highest level, no matter the adversity. This victory further boosted their confidence as they continue to pursue success for the remainder of the season.
