The Lions’ defense has been pretty awful through 2 games, particularly through the air, ranking 22nd in YPA, allowing 37 of 56 for 374 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions. That might not sound awful, but neither of the quarterbacks they’ve faced, Alex Smith or Sam Bradford, are really that great. That’s also in spite of one of the best pass rushes in the league.

The Lions are expected to be healthier in the secondary this week, returning Chris Houston and Bill Bentley from injury. However, they’re still not at 100% and it’s not like they were a good pass defense before injuries. They were 23^rd in scoring defense last year. Houston is decent, but Bentley is a 3rd round rookie. Those 2 will work with Jacob Lacey, a mediocre talent, at cornerback, while their safeties will be Erik Coleman and either Amari Spievey or John Wendling. Wendling started last week, but got destroyed by Vernon Davis and was benched for Spievey who was terrible last year. It’s unclear who will start this week, but it probably doesn’t matter. Louis Delmas, who is still injured, is really missed there.

A poor passing defense still not at full strength, they be a welcome sight for Jake Locker this week. Locker has struggled in 2 games against San Diego and New England, but this is a much easier test. On top of that, the Lions struggle to stop the run and Chris Johnson, as many duds as he’s had in the last year plus, has rushed for 100+ yards 4 times in 5 games against teams ranked in the bottom 3^rd against the run, which the Lions did last year.

Locker, now more comfortable in his 3^rd start, will also get top receiver Kenny Britt back in a full time role. Remember, Britt, not yet 24 years old, has caught 56 passes for 1146 yards and 12 touchdowns in his full last 13 games. The Lions have the talent edge, but they could be flat off an emotional loss to the 49ers against a “lowly” 0-2 team, and they’re on the road. The Lions, just 6-8 in their last 14 games, should be on upset alert.

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