Former Alabama DB calls Lions defense better after ‘trials, tribulations’
As Detroit compiled a franchise record 15 regular-season victories in 2024, the Lions defense yielded 342 points, the seventh-fewest in the NFL last season.
Preparing for his third NFL season with Detroit, safety Brian Branch thinks the Lions will be even tougher to score against in 2025.
“I feel like we’re better than last year,” Branch told Rainer Sabin of the Detroit Free Press. “We’re hungry, and I feel that’s going to separate us. Our chemistry is on a whole ’nother level. …
“We went through the ups and downs. We fought together in tough games. We have been in a game where it depended on us to win, so it just makes everybody buy in. Once you have a group that has bought in and has gone through trials and tribulations, we feel invincible.”
The Detroit defense was not invincible in the Lions’ most recent game. In the second round of the NFC playoffs on Jan. 18, the Washington Commanders piled up 481 yards in a 45-31 victory on Detroit’s home field.
In that game, the Lions lined up without five of their defensive starters from Game 1 of the 2024 season, with defensive tackles Alim McNeill and Kyle Peko, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, linebacker Derrick Barnes and cornerback Carlton Davis sidelined by injuries. And that doesn’t count linebacker Alex Anzalone, who made it back from a broken forearm to play in the postseason.
“Last year, injuries, they were kind of against us,” Branch said. “This year, everybody’s healthy that is coming back. And we’re just hungry. We’ve still got the same mission and the same goals. We’re trying to get that Super Bowl.”
Branch joined the Lions from Alabama in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. After spending most of his rookie season as Detroit’s slot corner, Branch moved to safety in 2024 and earned Pro Bowl recognition as he recorded 109 tackles, four interceptions, one sack, eight tackles for loss, 16 passes defensed and one forced fumble.
The Lions will return from their summer break when Detroit’s rookies report for training camp on July 16, with the veterans coming in on July 19. The Lions play the Los Angeles Chargers in the Hall of Fame Game on July 31 to open their four-game preseason schedule. Detroit will kick off the regular season on Sept. 7 against the Green Bay Packers.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.
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