Matthew Stafford poised to challenge Lions’ battered secondary with Nacua and Adams
On Sunday afternoon, the Detroit Lions will face an uphill battle as they contend with Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams’ prolific passing attack. D.J. Reed, a key player in the Lions’ secondary, will lead the charge against a quarterback who is currently among the frontrunners for the MVP award. Stafford is enjoying a remarkable season, having thrown an NFL-best 35 touchdowns while amassing 3,354 passing yards, ranking fourth in the league. His impressive performance is underscored by a QBR of 68.8, placing him fifth among all quarterbacks.
Dynamic Duo: Nacua and Adams
Stafford is not alone in this offensive onslaught; he is supported by an impressive receiving duo in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Nacua is tied for the most receptions in the league, boasting 93 catches alongside Arizona’s Trey McBride, and has recorded the second-highest receiving yards total, with 1,186. This season marks Nacua’s second consecutive year of surpassing 90 receptions and 1,100 yards.
Adams, who joined the Rams as a free-agent acquisition in the offseason, has been equally spectacular. He leads the NFL with 14 touchdown receptions, combining with Nacua for an astonishing total of 20 TDs. Their synergy poses a significant challenge for the Lions’ beleaguered secondary.
Lions’ Secondary in Turmoil
Reed has had a commendable season in his first year with the Lions, securing two interceptions and a Pro Football Focus (PFF) pass-coverage grade of 67.1. His overall PFF grade of 69.2 ranks him 27th among 109 qualified cornerbacks. Reed’s ability to make crucial plays was highlighted by a game-sealing interception against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14.
However, Reed’s counterpart, Amik Robertson, has faced difficulties throughout the season. With Terrion Arnold sidelined for the year due to a shoulder injury, Robertson’s coverage has been inconsistent. He holds a PFF coverage grade of 48.6, one of the lowest in the league, and has allowed a passer rating of 111.9 against him. His recent performance against the Cowboys exemplified these struggles, as he surrendered eight catches for 112 yards on 11 targets.
In their last two games, Reed and Robertson collectively allowed 27 catches on 39 targets for 389 yards and three touchdowns, a statistic that underscores their challenges in coverage. “I had the task of going against CeeDee Lamb, and to be honest, he got the better of me before he got hurt. And on the island, sometimes that’s how it goes,” Reed acknowledged. “Then I moved over to George Pickens. They’re both phenomenal players. Sometimes it’s a bad day in the office, but I’m glad we got the W.”
Injury Struggles Amplified
The Lions’ secondary faces an even tougher task this week as they will be without both starting safeties, Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee). This depletion places additional pressure on Reed and Robertson as they attempt to contain the dynamic Rams’ receiving tandem.
Despite these challenges, a strong performance from Reed and his teammates could be crucial for the Lions, especially as they seek to upset the current NFC leaders. As the game approaches, there’s a strong likelihood that Nacua and Adams could combine for 133 receiving yards and two touchdowns in their high-stakes matchup against Dan Campbell’s squad. The outcome may hinge on how effectively the Lions can manage the Rams’ explosive offense amidst their injuries.
