The Lions entered 2026 with major expectations, but their opening two games have exposed several problems. Detroit allowed 30 points against New Orleans before surrendering 41 against Buffalo in Week 2. While the offense has produced enough to keep games competitive, the defense has repeatedly been left on the field for too long.

That has placed plenty of pressure on Detroit’s defense, especially with starting safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph sidelined. However, Amon-Ra St. Brown believes the offense cannot simply watch from the other side. If Detroit wants its defense to improve, the offense must also give it more support.

That starts with controlling games from the opening whistle. St. Brown believes slow starts have forced the defense into difficult situations, while longer possessions could give Detroit’s defenders more time to recover between series.

“We gotta start faster. Gotta possess the ball a little more, make it easier on our defense, not have them be on the field as long. I feel like we can be a lot better. We honestly haven’t scratched the surface of what we can be.”

The message is significant because St. Brown is taking responsibility rather than placing all the blame on Detroit’s defense. He believes the offense has another level to reach, and finding it could help solve problems across the team.

Dan Campbell Wants the Lions to Fight for Every Snap

That urgency echoes Dan Campbell’s message ahead of Week 3. With the Jets coming to Detroit, Campbell described the matchup as a “knockout, 60-minute brawl” and demanded that everyone do their job.

For the Lions, that means eliminating the mistakes that have contributed to their difficult start. The offense must sustain drives, while the defense needs to make those possessions count.

St. Brown knows Detroit has not reached its potential yet. Now, the Lions need to turn that belief into better football before another opportunity slips away.

Written by

Joseph Nithin