There are two things defensive tackle DJ Reader has learned pretty quickly about Detroit's defense over the first three games of the season.
1. There is a lot of talent across the board at all three levels. 2. There is an emphasis to stop the run.
"I think everyone is committed to it," Reader said Tuesday. "That part of our defense is part of our identity."
Detroit had one of the best run defenses in the NFL last year and they've picked up right where they left off last season. Detroit's allowed 230 rushing yards through three contests, which is just 76.7 yards per game. They trail only Baltimore (150), Minnesota (214) and Pittsburgh (214) in that category after three weeks.
"That's a good defense," Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said after Detroit's win in Arizona Sunday in which his club ran for just 77 yards. "We knew coming in that's a good defense and they stopped the run well.
"It's just that we never got that one explosive. I know (quarterback) Kyler (Murray) had the one, but I don't think we had any explosives in the run game. (It's like) you're waiting for one of them to pop. We knew it was going to be dirty (with) two, three yards but you're kind of waiting for that one to pop. Hats off to them. They did a good job."
Opponents have just a 3.6-yard average per carry against the Lions this season and only 40.6 percent of opponent runs have gained at least four-plus yards, which ranks fifth best in the league.
"There's a lot of good players with a lot of awareness (on this defense)," said Reader, who came over as a free agent in the offseason from Cincinnati. "I think that's important, and you don't see that everywhere."
The Lions are fifth best in the league, tied with Baltimore, for the fewest missed tackles, which is a big part of keeping the run game in check. Reader said they'll have to be good in that regard again this week facing Seattle on Monday night.
"He's a talented back. His contact balance is crazy," Reader said of Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker, who missed Seattle's last game against Miami but could be back in the lineup Monday in Detroit. "I remember playing him last year and his contact balance is insane. He's fast, he can do all the things. He's a very special back. Kid can stay up off a lot of hits and has big legs and he's very special with the ball in his hands, so you really just try to do your best to limit him."
That will certainly be the plan Monday night in front of a national audience as the Lions' defense looks to continue its really good start to the 2024 season, especially against the run.
