The Detroit Lions have been a doormat of the NFL for decades. They are poster boys for the folly of believing high draft picks equal a trip back to contending. They rarely even win more games than they lose in a year. It feels like they may be on a positive path, though, with their fiery new coach and some promising young players. Their record is still a very typical 1-2, but the story behind it is different.

This Lions team boasts one of the highest scoring offenses in football, with an explosive rushing and passing attack. Only Baltimore has scored more points so far this season. They get to face one of the worst defenses in the league at home. Yes, they will be without their star running back, but it’s hard to believe that will matter against this matador defense from Seattle. Detroit is favored by 4.5 points. That is where Seattle finds itself three weeks into this season, a rightful 4.5 point underdog to a 1-2 team. The Seahawks lose this game unless something drastically changes on defense.

The way this works: Each offense will be pitted against the opposing defense and compared on an array of key statistical attributes based on their respective rank in the NFL. The tables that follow show the rank of each unit for each of these categories. 

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Seahawks Offense vs Lions Defense

Lions key advantages on defense

Aidan Hutchinson has 3.0 sacks as a rookie. Charles Harris has been an effective pass rusher on the opposite edge. They will test the rookie tackles for Seattle.

Seahawks key advantages on offense

That chart is accurate. As good as the Lions offense has been, their defense is the reason they are 1-2. No team has allowed more points than Detroit. They struggle against the run and against the pass. Seattle started to look competent on the ground against the Falcons. Should they gain some steam in this game, with Rashaad Penny running on turf and Kenneth Walker returning to Michigan, Seattle has a shot to come away with a road win.

Both DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett should have advantages in their matchups. The emerging Seattle tight end trio should also have room to operate.

Lions Offense vs Seahawks Defense

Lions key advantages on offense

The Lions are playing the Seahawks defense. That is a massive advantage. Seattle has stopped very little of what opponents want to do, especially on the ground. Losing D’Andre Swift is a big deal for Detroit as he was an explosive aspect of their running attack, but Jamaal Williams is good enough to gash Seattle if they continue to play this style of tackle-by-pushing-out-of-bounds-20-yards-downfield defense.

Seahawks key advantages on defense

Williams is more of an insider runner than what Seattle has faced recently, and may not be as equipped to exploit the edges. If Seattle can manage to slow the run, the Lions offensive line is awful and Jared Goff makes wonderful mistakes under pressure. That is the recipe for success here.

Special Teams

Dee Eskridge is so bad he can’t even be trusted to return punts? C’mon, man. Your team is bad. Put the kid in there and see if he can give the team a spark.

Be sure to tune into Real Hawk Talk Wednesday night!

Thanks to Sarah and Chris Rood for sponsoring this series!