When star defensive edge Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending injury, Detroit Lions Coach Dan Campbell quickly reminded fans this team isn’t just one player. Each player needed to step up and play complementary football to pick up the slack. Every player is stepping up, and one Lions defender has quietly become an end-zone ninja with five clutch interceptions.
Detroit Lions Defender Stepping Up As An End Zone Ninja
In complementary football, the offense, defense, and special teams work in tandem to dominate every aspect of the game. The Lions’ 52-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans offered a masterclass from ST coordinator Dave Fipp and the special teams unit. While Jared Goff had three touchdowns on only 85 passing yards, the defense and special teams contributed over 300 yards toward that incredible score. The Lions are now 6-1 with one of the best records in the NFL.
The strategy of complimentary football appears to be working. Despite the absence of Hutchinson and several other key defense players, the next-man-up philosophy is paying off. If the Lions can’t replace a player like Hutchinson with a single individual, they’ll replace him by committee. Whether it’s Brian Branch, Alex Anzalone, or Carlton Davis making big plays, the defense has found a way to get the job done.
During the offseason, Lions EVP and general manager Brad Homes focused on adding depth to the defense. The Lions front office used the draft and free agency to fill defensive coverage gaps. If one player went down injured, there would be sufficient depth to fill that spot.
Last week, the Lions delivered another example of complementary football in a critical division victory against the Vikings. The defense held strong late in the 4th quarter, forcing a crucial three-and-out. As the closing seconds ticked off the clock, Jared Goff and the offense engineered a smooth eight-play drive to put the team in scoring position. Then, it was up to the special teams unit. Jake Bates stepped up and nailed a clutch 44-yard field goal for a decisive 31-29 win.
The Detroit Lions Defense Stepping Up Their Game
The Lions’ defense has taken Campbell’s next-man-up mandate to heart. Despite losing one of the NFL’s elite players, DC Aaron Glenn’s defense has performed admirably in Hutchinson’s absence. The team is currently 3-0 without Hutchinson on the field. In the game against Dallas, the defense had four sacks and two forced fumbles. After Hutchinson was injured, the defense shut down the Cowboys’ offense for the remainder of the game. Branch intercepted Dak Prescott twice. Kerby Joseph grabbed a late-game interception off Cooper Rush in the end zone.
In the game against the Vikings, the Lions’ defense produced four sacks and five quarterback pressures. It’s worth noting that despite Hutchinson’s absence, the defense surpassed the Lions’ team average of three sacks per game.
Kirby Joseph Stepping Up
The entire defense has performed well this season, but one player stands out. With five interceptions in seven games, Kirby Joseph has become an end-zone ninja. Selected by the Lions with the 97th pick in the 2022 draft, the third-year player out of Illinois has been terrific this season. Entering the game against Tennessee, Joseph had 33 tackles (19 solo) and broken up five passes. But it’s his five interceptions that have made the difference. Whenever the Lions needed that big play, Joseph came up with a diving interception to change the course of the game.
Joseph had another stunning interception off Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph that led to another Lions touchdown several plays later.
Kirby Joseph Shutting Down Opponents In The End Zone
Joseph’s first interception this season came in week 1 against former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. Just before halftime, the Lions had a 10-3 lead over the Los Angeles Rams. But Stafford had the Rams in scoring position on the Lions’ eight-yard line. Stafford went back to throw, and swooping in like a stealth ninja, Joseph came up with the interception in the end zone. The Lions won the game by a score of 26-20.
In week three against the Arizona Cardinals, Kyler Murray launched a deep ball to rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., but Joseph came up with another critical end zone interception. The Lions won the game 20-13.
Joseph’s third interception came in week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks. With one minute left in the game, the Lions were ahead by a score of 42-29 when Joseph intercepted Geno Smith to end the game.
By the time Joseph made the end zone grab off Rush, the Cowboys’ backup quarterback, the Lions had already walloped Dallas by a score of 47-9. However, his fourth interception this year put an exclamation mark on a heavy emotional game. It marked a fitting tribute to Hutchinson and a sign that these Lions remain focused on a Super Bowl bid even without their star defensive player.
