Three-and-out: With so much meat left on the bone, expectations rise for Detroit's defense

Allen Park — Here are three thoughts after a second viewing and having a(n abbreviated) night’s sleep to process the Detroit Lions’ 26-20 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

Meat on the bone

Unless your expectations were unnecessarily recalibrated by some of the Rams’ injury issues, the Lions’ revamped defense had a strong showing, overall, in their premier performance.

Sure, you don’t love that Detroit coughed up a 14-point, second-half lead against a shorthanded opponent, but c’mon. You didn’t forget how good quarterback Matthew Stafford can be when playing from behind in the three years he’s been gone, did you?

A quick read of the box score will tell you this: The Lions held the Rams to 20 points, limited the opponent to two touchdowns on five red zone trips, and kept them under 100 yards rushing. That last one means a little more when you consider the stellar nose tackle signed in free agency remains inactive as he rounds the final corner on his rehab from last year’s torn quad.

Sure, the Rams racked up 387 yards, the seventh-most of the 30 NFL teams to play prior to Monday night, but focus on the points allowed. That number matters so much more.

My biggest takeaway from watching the game a second time was how many opportunities the defense missed and how much better they could be.