Dan Campbell keeps faith Kelvin Sheppard can turn around Lions defense as Jets travel to Detroit

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell remains confident in the ability of defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard to turn around the team's struggling defense. Despite Sheppard's defensive unit ranking 31st in points allowed and total defense, Campbell believes in Sheppard's abilities, describing him as "an outstanding coach" with a "bump in the road."

The Lions have struggled since Sheppard took over in Week 1, facing a New Orleans Saints offense that scored 30 points after halftime, eventually winning in overtime. However, Campbell remains wary of underestimating the Lions' opponent, the New York Jets. The Jets, currently ranked No. 1 in yards allowed and No. 2 in both yards passing and rushing allowed, have not had an interception in 19 consecutive games, going back to 2024.

Last week, the Jets narrowly defeated the Lions by a single point (20-17 in overtime), while Buffalo beat Detroit 41-31 in the previous week's matchup. New York's Geno Smith, the team's quarterback, has completed 73% of his passes with an average of 348 yards passing in Detroit, including a career-high 395 yards against Seattle last year.

Campbell acknowledges the Lions' defensive struggles but remains optimistic, noting that the team is aware of the challenges ahead and that a "knockout, 60-minute brawl" awaits them on Sunday. Sheppard's returning to Detroit for his fifth season will provide Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, with whom they previously worked together for five seasons, with valuable insight into the Lions' defensive system.