Bold Prediction: Each Lions Safety Records Interception

Lions' defense shines against Kyle Shanahan's offense.

The Detroit Lions' defense features a trio of safeties that each have the capability of intercepting opposing quarterbacks. 

On the road against the San Francisco 49ers, safeties Ceedy Duce, Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu will each intercept quarterback Brock Purdy. Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will have his secondary playing at its highest level at just the right time. 

In the week leading up to Detroit's biggest game of the season, Glenn was asked about the confidence he has in his players to execute in high-pressure situations and how much his unit has grown since the beginning of the season. 

"This is one thing that we stress here more than anything, is just the competitive nature of each player, and then what players are able to handle pressure situations and those guys continue to show us that," said Glenn. "And, we put those players in those situations in practice also. 

"Sometimes, we let them make the calls. ‘Alright, Alex (Anzalone), you make the call on the defense. Man, you’ve got to win the game right here. What are you going to be in?’ Those guys have come through. And, that’s a credit to our head coach, of doing that week in and week out, of putting those players in those situations.”

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Melifonwu's growth late in the season has spearheaded a secondary that is opportunistic and aggressive. 

"I always thought I could do it. In my head, I always thought of myself as a starter," Melifonwu said. "Even when I wasn’t starting, I was envisioning myself starting and the plays I knew I could make." 

Joseph was drafted by the front office due to his innate ability to be around the football. 

Meanwhile, against the Buccaneers, Duce instantly gave Detroit momentum after intercepting Baker Mayfield. 

No defensive back intercepted more passes last season than Detroit's veteran defensive leader. 

"I ain’t never seen a group of young guys prepare this hard. Like, they prepare, but this, I ain’t ever seen it," Duce said, ahead of the Lions' playoff contest against the Rams. "Their piss is hot. Yeah, I don’t know what’s gotten into ‘em, but they ready to play.”