Michigan Sports

Lions, Cardinals look to rise out of mediocrity

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions are two teams that aren’t particularly happy with the way they’re playing these days.

Considering it’s just four games into the season, there’s plenty of time to get back on the right track, but neither team can afford to wait much longer to see needed improvement.

The Lions (2-2) -- who have one of the NFL’s worst defenses -- travel to face the Cardinals (1-3) on Sunday. Arizona is on a three-game losing streak after winning its opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.

“I think the way the last three weeks have ended has definitely created another sense of urgency, but obviously not a sense of panic,” Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett said. “You can’t panic. The urgency can be there and it’s like how can we steady the ship without everybody trying to jump off the ship.”

Detroit’s biggest problems reside mostly on its defense, which is giving up nearly 32 points per game. The Lions lost to the Carolina Panthers 32-26 last weekend after allowing quarterback Bryce Young, running back Chuba Hubbard and receiver Tetairoa McMillan to have huge games.

“It’s no secret -- we’ve got to do a better job of taking away whoever their No. 1 guy is,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “We can do a much better job of that by how we go about it once we get into the game plan, but also doing our job and using our help.”

The Cardinals are also having some problems on the defensive end. Arizona lost to the New York Giants 36-24 on Sunday despite the fact that the Giants had backup quarterback Jameis Winston under center.

Cardinals first-year coach Mike LaFleur said the team’s defensive problems are more about executing in crucial situations rather than a systemwide failure.

Need to know

Detroit (2-2) at Arizona (1-3).

TV: Sunday, 4:25 EDT, Fox

Latest odds: Lions by 5 1/2.

Last week: Lions lost to Panthers 32-26; Cardinals lost to Giants 36-24

Last meeting: Lions beat Cardinals 20-13 on Sept. 22, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona.

Series record: Lions lead 36-28-6