How Lions Plan to Improve Pass Rush

Dan Campbell's plan to revitalize Lions' pass rush.

The Detroit Lions have struggled to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks throughout the 2023 NFL season. In four of their 11 games, they've been held without a sack. 

There's talent on that defensive front, with Alim McNeill and Aidan Hutchinson, but the unit has had a difficult time with getting to passers. McNeill and Hutchinson have combined for 10.5 of the team's 23 sacks, with just one other player having three or more. 

Hutchinson has a 91.4 PFF pass rush grade with 63 pressures this season. As a result, opponents are dedicating more resources to neutralizing him. 

Against the Packers in Week 12, the Lions' pass rush struggles were on full display. They failed to sack Jordan Love, who picked apart the secondary in what many are calling his best performance as a pro. 

Ahead of Detroit's showdown Sunday with New Orleans, Dan Campbell explained what went so right for the Packers as they kept the pass rush quiet. 

“Look, Green Bay did a good job. They nudged the edges, they chipped with the back and they did a good job of dragging inside. So they were doubling, they would double, start with Alim and then work their way to the slide or vice versa," Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket. "So that takes care of your interior. They're going to nudge Hutch. Then that leaves one guy on the back side and he's the guy who's got to win, but then the back will chip him on the way out. And so the stress is now in your coverage. You know we got to hold up and we've got to fight those guys for as long as we can until we can at least close the pocket on him and make a play."

Additionally, the Lions coverage unit struggled to stay in front of the Packers' young wide receiving corps. This reaffirmed what Campbell has said since the beginning of the season when it comes to the importance of winning 1-on-1 matchups. 

In the clip below, the Packers dedicate three players to containing Hutchinson during the first quarter of Thursday's game. First, tight end Tucker Kraft chips him, then center Josh Myers pulls to provide insurance. 

All the while, running back A.J. Dillon is sitting in pass protection in the event Hutchinson gets free. Elsewhere, Alim McNeill is doubled on the interior while Benito Jones and Josh Paschal are 1-on-1.

This applies to both the coverage and pass rush units. Hutchinson has been doubled plenty this season, leaving teammates in singled-up situations in which they must win. 

"Every once in a while guy's got a 1-on-1. He has to win that 1-on-1, it's why we're going to do some 1-on-1's again tomorrow. Get back to what we do and work it," Campbell stated. "But ultimately, this guy, it's the best I've seen Jordan Love play for a whole 60 minutes. You know, he's played some good football, but man he was on his game. He was making off-platform throws, putting them right where they need to be. And we just weren't able to close and finish on the football and we weren't able to apply enough pressure. But honestly the ball came out so damn fast on all but about four of them. I mean, the kid was playing in rhythm. He's playing in rhythm, hitting his back foot, no hitch, ball out."

The Lions were fortunate to have a long week to prepare for New Orleans after the short week leading into Chicago. Detroit will be well-rested with an opportunity to stake a strong claim about their ability to adjust. 

"We're just going to make an emphasis on it. We're going to work on the details. We got an action plan for our guys. Look, here's exactly what you need to work on. That's your first step. It's your get off. It's your right hand. It's the rip, and not just say, we’ve got to work harder. We're trying to give them some substance.”