Nick Fairley on Lions' defense: 'We can be the best ever'

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley said the team's defense can be the best in league history. The Lions held the Minnesota Vikings to three points during their victory on Sunday, while recording 8.0 sacks and three interceptions.

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley said the team's defense can be the best in league history, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The Lions held the Minnesota Vikings to three points during their victory on Sunday, while recording 8.0 sacks and three interceptions. Detroit's defense leads the league in yards allowed per game (270.7), scoring defense (13.7) and sacks (20.0).

Fairley, the team's first-round pick in 2013, said the team hasn't reached its potential yet on defense. From Birkett:

"We can be great," Fairley said as reporters gathered around his locker after the game. "We can be great, but we're not there yet."

Great?

"Great," Fairley said. "We can be the best ever, in my eyes."

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Fairley has one sack and 12 combined tackles this season. George Johnson leads the Lions with 4.0 sacks, while Ezekiel Ansah and Ndamukong Suh have 3.5 and 3.0 sacks, respectively.

Detroit beat the Vikings despite playing without wide receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Reggie Bush, who each have ankle injuries.

The Lions have started the season 4-2 and are in first place in the NFC North. They host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at 1 p.m.

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- Paul Palladino