6 thoughts to end the week: How 2024 defense stacks up to 2014 and how Za'Darius Smith's superpower developed

Allen Park — Here are six thoughts to end the week as the Detroit Lions prepare to hit the road to face the Indianapolis Colts.

Best defense since…

In 2014, the Lions put together their best defensive season of my lifetime, and arguably the Super Bowl era. With star power at every level, the team finished second in yardage and points allowed, were the league’s best against the run, and finished top-10 on third down and with takeaway generation.

Statistically, this year’s group is challenging that one. They’re allowing a few more yards and a couple more points each week, but they’re better on third down and producing takeaways at an even higher rate.

Advanced metrics actually favor the current Detroit defense. In 2014, they finished third in DVOA — a down-by-down efficiency metric that factors in the strength of the opponents. This year, they’re second in that ranking. Pro Football Reference’s Simple Rating System also has this year’s version slightly ahead of the one from a decade ago.

In a hypothetical where every player is healthy, and at the age they were that season, it’s difficult to determine which way to lean if you needed to rely on one of those units for a single game.