Can Buffalo Exploit the Detroit Lions’ Biggest Weakness?
Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
The Buffalo Bills are coming off a 44-42 loss against a Los Angeles Rams team that was defined by their offensive firepower. Led by Matthew Stafford, who had weapons like Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp, and Puka Nacua at his disposal, the Rams proved too much to handle for the Bills’ defense. And if they were too explosive for Buffalo to have an answer for, it won’t get easier next week. The Rams aren’t in the same tier as the Detroit Lions, who are set to host the Bills at Ford Field this Sunday.
Puka Nacua: pic.twitter.com/J1bMyO0chw
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 8, 2024
Detroit is a seemingly impossible team to scheme against because their offense has approximately zero holes. Jared Goff can pick apart zone coverages, he can punish opposing defenses for playing press man, and he’s seemingly unfazed when you send a blitz his way. Penei Sewell headlines a dominant offensive line that is among the league’s best in both run and pass blocking. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have combined for nearly 1,800 yards and 22 rushing touchdowns. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta are a terrifying pass-catching trio.
However, the Lions do have one glaring weakness on defense that can be exploited. While Detroit’s defense has enough talent to cover up their vulnerabilities, even after losing Aidan Hutchinson, those weak points still exist. In order to crack defensive mastermind Aaron Glenn’s code, a team would need an elite quarterback and a group of talented receivers with big play ability.
That first part is unquestionably covered by Josh Allen, but can Buffalo’s wide receiver corps exploit the Lions’ biggest weakness?
As impressive as Detroit has been defensively, their secondary is very prone to getting called for pass interference. The Lions’ defense has been penalized for the infraction an NFL-high 17 times. While they have talent in their secondary on paper, with guys like Brian Branch, Carlton Davis, Amik Robertson, and rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold, they’ve been prone to giving up big yards, even when they prevent completions.
Most defensive pass interference penalties this season:
1. Lions – 17
T2. Jets – 13
T2. Commanders – 13 https://t.co/m5Fo25z8kM pic.twitter.com/is9u5aCoso— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) December 6, 2024
So why do the Lions lead the league in pass interference violations? Do the refs have a personal vendetta against the city of Detroit? Despite what some Lions fans may want you to believe, the truth of the matter is that Glenn has Detroit playing man coverage at a higher rate (42.5%) than any other defense in the league. Putting cornerbacks out on an island produces situations where they have to resort to a penalty if they get beat.
Arnold, in particular, loves to get grabby. The rookie is currently tied with Jets cornerback D.J. Reed for the most pass interference penalties (seven) committed by a cornerback this season. Expect the Bills to try and exploit this by utilizing one of their best deep threats at wide receiver. And no, I’m not talking about Amari Cooper, who will likely be covered by Davis.
Instead, look for rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman to see an increased role against the Lions on Sunday. Coleman suffered a wrist injury back in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins after taking a nasty hit from former Bills safety Jordan Poyer. Although Coleman missed last week’s game against the Rams, he’s been trending in the right direction and is likely to make his return along with tight end Dalton Kincaid in a must-win game for the fight for home-field advantage.
Jordan Poyer has now injured Keon Coleman today after he hit Shakir helmet to helmet in week 2.
I don’t care how he was beloved when he was here, this is bush league play!#BillsMafia #GoBills pic.twitter.com/1FAu44X8T0
— Dave Myers BIB (@DaveMyersBIB) November 3, 2024
Buffalo has some underrated talent at wide receiver with guys like Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, and Mack Hollins, and at least two of those guys have been more consistent than Coleman this year. However, the trio of Shakir, Samuel, and Hollins doesn’t offer the same kind of upside and potential that Coleman possesses. As a 6-foot-4, 216-pound wideout with 4.6 speed and above-average agility for his size, Coleman fits the mold of a prototypical X receiver. He was compared to Mike Evans and Tee Higgins coming out of the draft.
Assuming Coleman is healthy, I’d expect him to line up against fellow rookie first-rounder Arnold. Coleman’s combination of size, mobility, and ball skills makes him a tough receiver to cover, and the Bills can leverage that against a rookie corner who has a tendency to commit fouls when he’s outmatched in man coverage. This may lead to the Bills being the beneficiaries of some pass interference penalties, which could ultimately change the complexion of the game if Buffalo can keep pace with the Lions’ offense.
The majority of the country will view this game as a battle between Super Bowl contenders led by two quarterbacks playing at an elite level. However, it may ultimately be defined by two first-round draft picks: Arnold and Coleman. That specific duel is a marquee matchup worth getting your popcorn buckets ready for.
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