The Lions are out here looking like a legit heavyweight, and honestly, nobody who paid attention this offseason is shocked. Now they’re backing up all the hype with a 2-1 start and a 38-30 smackdown of the Ravens to prove it. They look every bit like a team that can make a real run, and the team that can’t be stopped this year. But according to Lions legend Calvin Johnson, there’s only one thing that can actually limit them.

Calvin Johnson popped up on the Up and Adams Show with Kay Adams on September 23, and he looked like the happiest man on earth because of that Ravens thumping. But when Kay Adams asked what’s that one thing that could slow this Lions team down, Johnson had one straight answer. “Injuries,” Johnson said. “You know, injury.” That’s all! And if one has followed this team throughout the 2024 season, they would agree with him.

The Lions had just as much potential last year as they do this season. But they developed an interesting pattern. They’d pull out a win, fans would celebrate, and then they’d wait for injury updates an hour or two later. Take that Colts game in week 12.

The Lions went 10-1 after that game, but came out with four key injuries. On a punt return, Kalif Raymond injured his foot and ended up being sidelined. Left tackle Taylor Decker left the game with an ankle injury. Oh, and he had already suffered from ankle injuries at the beginning of the season, by the way. It didn’t end there.

The Lions were already short at CB when Terrion Arnold had to get off the field, joining fellow rookie Ennis Rakestraw Jr, who suffered from a hamstring injury and was placed on IR. With every win came a few injuries. The late injuries to Aidan Hutchinson and Malcolm Rodriguez derailed what should’ve been a title-winning season. And it’s not like this year is a lot better.

Levi Onwuzurike’s season was over before it even started after an ACL injury, and the injury bug didn’t stop there. The Lions also lost two promising young players, CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (shoulder) and safety Dan Jackson (leg), for the entire 2025 campaign. That’s a gut punch for a defense that was hyped up all offseason. Next-man-up mantra cannot hold up in January. But for now, let’s talk about happier things.

The Lions’ defense looks scary

The Lions have been on a tear, and outside of that slip against the Packers, they’ve looked downright terrifying. They handled both the Ravens and Bears with authority, and the defense has been the heartbeat of it all. Folks thought Detroit would fold after losing Aaron Glenn to the Jets, but Kelvin Sheppard’s unit has only silenced the doubters.

Just look at the Ravens game when the moment got tight, that defense shut the door. Aidan Hutchinson and his crew smothered Lamar Jackson all night, never letting him breathe. Even when Baltimore threw everything at Hutchinson, he still broke through and brought Lamar down. That’s the kind of grit that makes this Lions team feel different. And that Derrick Henry fumble? Total game-changer and not something you see every day. Kelvin Sheppard’s defense just keeps leveling up every game. Seven sacks in one game against a potential MVP quarterback? Insane!

And it wasn’t just the defense that stood out. The Ravens couldn’t keep up with the Lions’ rushing yesterday. Detroit absolutely owned the ground game, bullying their way to 224 rushing yards and four touchdowns like it was backyard football. David Montgomery locked in with 151 yards and two scores, while Jahmyr Gibbs danced his way to 67 yards and another pair of TDs.

Three games into the season, and they already look well-oiled and polished. Hopefully, injuries don’t stop them from reaching the potential they possess. Not again!