×

Porous D abounds: Lions-Jaguars could be high-scoring affair

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Take the over.

Detroit and Jacksonville have two of the NFL’s worst defenses, unable to stop anyone, anywhere, any week. The Lions (1-3) rank last in the league in rushing yards allowed, giving up more than 170 yards a game. The Jaguars (1-4) are near the bottom of every major defensive category, including 30th in total yards and last in yards per play.

The teams are among a group of seven allowing more than 400 yards and about 30 points a game.

So when they meet in Jacksonville on Sunday for the first time in eight years, it should be an ideal matchup for a high-scoring affair. And the smart money appears to be on the over. The over/under opened at 52 1/2 total points.

The Lions spent their early season bye week trying to address their defensive woes.

“We’re working hard to try to make sure that there is consistency,” coach Matt Patricia said.

Problem is there’s more than one area of concern. Detroit has seen different guys missing tackles and assignments and failing to shed blocks in every game.

“We have to do a better job in the run game, and we have to settle some things down there that have hurt us and play with better fundamentals and technique and just be consistent,” Patricia said. “We have some good run plays on tape and just unfortunately too many bad ones. We have to be consistent with it and try to get teams in a situation where they have to pass the ball more.”

Jacksonville is planning a heavy dose of rookie James Robinson, who is averaging nearly 5 yards a carry. Robinson has been one of the few bright spots on a team that has given up 30 or more points in four consecutive losses–î the third time in franchise history they’ve done that.

The Jaguars have been downright dismal on defense, and injuries have forced several first- and second-year players into the starting lineup.

“There’s a guilt feeling I have,” coach Doug Marrone said. “There’s a pit in my stomach feeling that I have that I can’t find a way to figure out how to get these guys to (be consistent). — I don’t want to make it sound like I’m frustrated from a standpoint of I’m mad or (ticked) off or anything like that.

“That’s not how I feel. I feel hurt that I’m not able to do my job and bring them all together to be consistent.”

Matthew Stafford has thrown 264 touchdown passes since Detroit drafted him No. 1 overall in 2009.

The Jaguars, though, are the only NFL team that Stafford has not thrown for a score against.

DETROIT (1-3) at JACKSONVILLE (1-4), Sunday, noon, Fox

SERIES RECORD – Tied 3-3

LAST MEETING – Lions beat Jaguars 26-19 on Nov. 20, 2016, in Detroit

LAST WEEK – Lions had bye, lost to Saints 35-29 Oct. 4; Jaguars lost at Texans 30-14

AP PRO32 RANKING – Lions No. 26; Jaguars No. 28

LIONS OFFENSE – OVERALL (25), RUSH (24), PASS (21).

LIONS DEFENSE – OVERALL (28), RUSH (32), PASS (13).

JAGUARS OFFENSE – OVERALL (18), RUSH (26), PASS (10).

JAGUARS DEFENSE – OVERALL (30), RUSH (26), PASS (29).

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today