Despite ranking 16th in the NFL in points scored this season (20.7), the Detroit Lions' offense is No. 4 in total offense, No. 4 in rushing and No. 7 in passing. The scoring numbers are skewed a little bit by Detroit ranking just 26th in red-zone efficiency (38.5 percent).
This week the Lions face a Seattle Seahawks' defense that is No. 2 in total defense and No. 1 against the pass, allowing just 132.3 passing yards through their first three games. Their three opponents have been Denver with a rookie quarterback, New England, and a Dolphins team without Tua Tagovailoa, but results are results, and Seattle has been shutting down opposing passing attacks to begin the year.
View photos of the starters for the Seattle Seahawks.
Head Coach: Mike Macdonald
Offensive Coordinator: Ryan Grubb
Defensive Coordinator: Aden Durde
Special Teams Coordinator: Jay Harbaugh
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
WR DK Metcalf
Backed up by Jake Bobo
(AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
LT Charles Cross
Backed up by Stone Forsythe
(Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
LG Laken Tomlinson
Backed up by Sataoa Laumea
(AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
C Connor Williams
Backed up by Olu Oluwatimi and Jalen Sundell
(AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
RG Anthony Bradford
Backed up by Christian Haynes
(Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
RT Stone Forsythe
Backed up by McClendon Curtis and Michael Jerrell
(AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
TE Noah Fant
Backed up by Pharaoh Brown, Brady Russell and AJ Barner
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
WR Tyler Lockett
Backed up by Dareke Young
(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Backed up by Laviska Shenault Jr.
(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
QB Geno Smith
Backed up by Sam Howell
(Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
RB Kenneth Walker III
Backed up by Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh
(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
DT Leonard Williams
Backed up by Mike Morris and Myles Adams
(AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
NT Johnathan Hankins
Backed up by Byron Murphy II
(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
DE Jarran Reed
Backed up by Byron Murphy II
(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
RUSH Dre'Mont Jones
Backed up by Boye Mafe
(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
MLB Tyrel Dodson
Backed up by Tyrice Knight
(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
WLB Jerome Baker
Backed up by Drake Thomas
(AP Photo/John Froschauer)
SAM Uchenna Nwosu
Backed up by Derick Hall and Trevis Gipson
(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
CB Devon Witherspoon
Backed up by Tre Brown
(Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
CB Riq Woolen
Backed up by Nehemiah Pritchett and Dee Williams
(Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
SS Rayshawn Jenkins
Backed up by K'Von Wallace
(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
FS Julian Love
Backed up by Coby Bryant
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
K Jason Myers
(Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
P/H Michael Dickson
(AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
PR Dee Williams
Backed up by Jaxon Smith-Njigba
(AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
KR Laviska Shenault Jr.
Backed up by Dee Williams and Kenny McIntosh
(AP Photo/John Froschauer)
LS Chris Stoll
(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
It's a new defensive scheme in Seattle under head coach Mike Macdonald, who brought it over from Baltimore where he was the defensive coordinator for the Ravens last season.
"A ton different," Lions quarterback Jared Goff said Thursday of the scheme he's seen on film this week vs. the one he and the Lions have faced the last three seasons playing Seattle. "Completely different staff, so it's going to change entirely what they're doing, and he does a good job.
"It's a completely different scheme. As far as what you're looking at schematically, it's entirely different."
The Seahawks are the first team since the 1979 Steelers to start a season 3-0 while allowing fewer than 150 passing yards in each game, according to NFL Research. Opponents are gaining just 3.5 net yards per pass attempt.
Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen are arguably one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL. This will be a really great test for Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and the rest of Detroit's receiving corps.
The Lions' passing game hasn't been clicking on all cylinders yet this season but will need to be really good Monday night against the best test they'll face so far this year.
"Yeah, it's tough. They've got good players, they've got good schemes," Goff said. "No. 21, (Devon) Witherspoon, just flies around, he's a great player. I think (Riq) Woolen's been a great player for a long time. They've got a lot of good players over there, man. They're really well coached, you can tell, and they play hard."
