The Detroit Lions have faced challenges in generating sacks but are excelling in quarterback pressures, a strategy Dan Campbell emphasized earlier this year.
Aidan Hutchinson had an exceptional start to the season with 45 pressures and seven league-leading sacks by Week 6 before a leg injury sidelined him.
Without Hutchinson and with additional injuries to players like John Cominsky and Alim McNeill, the Lions’ defense has had to adapt.
According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, the Lions are blitzing at a league-high rate of 41% but are converting only 15.1% of their pressures into sacks, the lowest rate since Week 7.
Campbell addressed this concern back in May:
“Sacks aren’t that big of a deal as long as you’re getting the pressures,” he said.
“A pressure that affects the quarterback negatively… I’ll take those all day long.”
Despite their sack struggles, the Lions rank second among Barnwell’s seven Super Bowl contender teams in pressures over the last four weeks with 124, trailing only the Eagles’ 153.
In their recent win over the Bears, the Lions recorded 20 pressures, showcasing their ability to disrupt quarterbacks.
However, since Hutchinson’s absence, the Lions have managed only 12 sacks, the second-lowest among Barnwell’s listed teams.
Campbell’s focus remains on maintaining pressure to force errant throws and turnovers, even if sacks remain elusive.
