Lions' Week 8 Defensive Grades: Was Don Brown Coaching the Defense?

Read more on how the Detroit Lions' defense fared against the Indianapolis Colts

Against opponents with a winning record, the Detroit Lions have struggled to perform consistently on defense. 

The defense has given up 27, 42, 35 and 41 points in its four losses in 2020.  

The Indianapolis Colts used a solid second quarter to capitalize on key mistakes made by Detroit, and went on to win at Ford Field, 41-21.

Here are the grades for the Lions' defense after the team's Week 8 contest with Indianapolis. 

Defensive line: D+

Romeo Okwara has been a bright spot this season along the defensive line. He now has five sacks on the 2020 season.

Trey Flowers may still be feeling the lingering effects of a hand injury, as he played in less than 50 percent of the team's defensive snaps for the first time against Indianapolis.

Unfortunately, Danny Shelton drew a penalty at the worst possible time, which resulted in a touchdown instead of the defense being able to get off the field. 

Linebackers: D-

Jamie Collins has been all that the Lions have been looking for at the linebacker position. 

Unfortunately, the rest of the group has struggled to make an impact, and made several mistakes at inopportune times Sunday. 

Tavai has performed poorly the past few weeks, and his lack of speed has now been exposed by opposing offenses. 

Tavai, Jarrad Davis, Christian Jones and Reggie Ragland recorded stats, but barely had any impact on the game. 

Secondary: F

Even without T.Y. Hilton, who like Kenny Golladay left the game with an injury, the Colts' offense did not skip a beat. 

Rivers found 11 different players for receptions against Detroit's secondary. 

Justin Coleman did not make much of an impact in his return from a hamstring injury. 

Safety Tracy Walker was beaten handedly on running back Nyheim Hines' second touchdown of the afternoon.

The lone bright spot was rookie Jeff Okudah, who only allowed two receptions for 26 yards and permitted zero touchdowns. 

Special teams: B+

On his only attempt on Sunday, Matt Prater missed a 48-yard kick to the left. The veteran kicker has now missed five field-goal attempts in 2020. 

Jack Fox averaged 46.0 net yards on his five punts.

Special teams coach Brayden Coombs deserves more credit for the play of the special teams unit. 

Miles Killebrew was able to block a punt that set up Detroit's first touchdown. 

Unfortunately, Tony McRae committed a bad penalty, when he made contact with Indy's kick returner, who had already signaled for a fair catch. There was debate as to whether he was pushed into the returner.

More from SI All Lions:

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Matthew Stafford or Lions' Defense: Who Deserves More Blame?

Week 8 Snap Count Observations

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