The Detroit Lions have not done well against mobile quarterbacks this year, and the unique challenge of Justin Fields this week will require a different plan.
The Detroit Lions have had a lot of struggles defensively this season, but one was easy to see coming going back to the first preseason game. Mobile quarterbacks were going to be a problem, and now in Week 10 they will face Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields.
In Week 9 Fields set a new NFL single-game record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 178 against the Miami Dolphins. The Bears have re-shaped their offense in recent weeks, with more designed runs for Fields, and they’re averaging over 31 points per game over their last three.
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and secondarily linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard, have generally been adamant against using a “spy” on a mobile quarterback. Jalen Hurts hurt them with his legs in Week 1 (90 yards and a touchdown), Geno Smith took the opportunities he had to run (49 yards and a touchdown) and even Aaron Rodgers hurt Detroit with legs (40 yards on four runs).
So something has to change, and it will have to change against Fields.
The Lions have to be unpredictable and creative against Justin Fields
On Wednesday Lions head coach Dan Campbell heaped praise on Fields, comparing how he’s being used by the Bears to how Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson (in Houston) and Hurts are used in terms of designed runs and having an offense shaped around their skills. He also pointed to how he may push Glenn to change things up.
Well, I think you’ve got to use a little bit of everything,” Campbell said of containing Fields. “Really, I think there’s a place to spy, I think there’s a place to pressure, I think there’s a place to really play more coverage and keep everything in front of you and then rally to it. So, I think it’s all encompassing.”
As good as he has been lately, Fields is still a young quarterback who will be making his 20th NFL start on Sunday. Glenn has to be willing to empty his creativity bag, in terms of blitzes and coverages, who is coming, who is dropping, etc., to confuse a young signal caller. Good on-field execution is another conversation, but Fields has to be made to look uncomfortable with defensive looks. Otherwise, it will automatically be another long day for the Lions’ defense against a quarterback who can run.