The Detroit Lions have had a long preparation for their Week 5 game against the Arizona Cardinals. The outside noise about the poor defense was loud. This was a major talking point when discussing the Lions as a team, but the offense deserved some criticism as well. Both got off to a slow start, but once the second quarter began, they came out and turned things around, winning 45-21.
Here are my six takeaways from the Lions’ Week 5 win over the Cardinals.
DJ Wonnum proves his worth
While the Lions defensive line had a good day against Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett overall, EDGE DJ Wonnum had the better game. Wonnum finished the game with two tackles, both sacks. He’s what the Lions needed on the defensive line: a player opposite EDGE Aidan Hutchinson who can wreak havoc and win one-on-one.
Sure, he’s not a superstar, but he plays well and has been a big boost to this Lions pass rush. Hutchinson on the edge and defensive tackle Alim McNeill were once the focal point of opposing offenses, but with Wonnum now on the other end, teams need to start respecting him enough and not devote all their resources to Hutchinson and McNeill.
We’ve seen McNeill get 3.5 sacks in five games this season, and Hutchinson has four. Who is the leader of the group? Wonnum is now the leader with 5.0. Detroit has a pass rush now, and if the secondary can be figured out, uh-oh.
I have to give the high school props
When the opening game rolled around, I thought it was going to be a long day for the Lions secondary. The Cardinals moved down the field with ease and once again the tight end position got off to a hot start with a touchdown. Thereafter, there were five straight three-and-outs, and secondary coverage was part of the reason. On the sixth drive, rookie defensive back Keith Abney II caught a pass to end the half.
Yes, the tight ends had another solid game for Arizona, collecting 14 catches for 138 yards and three touchdowns. The secondary didn’t play perfectly, but they made plays and forced incompletions when it mattered most. It was a step in the right direction, which is what this unit needed. You have to give them props for not laying down after that first ride.
After a month of struggles, allowing the quarterbacks to have good plays against them and the offenses to move the ball with ease, the secondary showed up. Changes will be coming soon with the return of Brian Branch – and potentially the safety of Kerby Joseph – so help is on the way. It’s a sign that things are going in the right direction, and with a week off to continue to tweak and improve the situation further, this defense still has time to turn things around.
Cade Mays, please come and save the day
Detroit’s offensive line has been average to start the year, but Sunday was its worst yet. The offense had a forgettable first quarter, but the line allowed three sacks. It’s frustrating to see the Lions offensive line struggle, but change is coming. Lions starting center Cade Mays returns soon, with his practice window opening earlier in the week leading up to the game.
The line cleaned up and didn’t allow Goff to be sacked again in the final three quarters, but it’s still not comfortable to see that happen so quickly. Detroit has a bye week next week and Lions head coach Dan Campbell thinks he could make his debut against the Packers. With Mays returning soon, I think we will see this offensive line take a positive step forward.
The offense must find quick starts
Most of the criticism Detroit has received so far this season has been about the defense, which is understandable, but that doesn’t mean the offense is perfect. Detroit’s offense continues to get off to a slow start, with another three-and-out to start the game, and for the entire first quarter the Lions totaled -9 yards on plays with three straight three-outs.
If Detroit was facing a tougher opponent, this game could have been a very quick 21-0. Remember week 2? It wasn’t even a month ago, and this attack is still happening slowly and lethargically. The offensive line got off to a horrible start, with quarterback Jared Goff on his back often, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs not having a lane to run into. Detroit’s offense can’t come out flat and put pressure on the defense right off the bat because Week 2 could be a weekly event, and this team can’t live like that every week.
Gibbs got off to a slow start Sunday but finished strong, hauling in 25 carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns, plus five catches for 56 yards. Gibbs’ first touchdown made history, putting him on par with Lions Hall of Fame legend Barry Sanders and tying him for the most touchdowns scored in NFL history by a player under the age of 25.
Gibbs would break that record later in the game, and he has a chance to put himself firmly at the front of the pack, as he won’t turn 25 until March 2027. Gibbs has had a strong start to his career and remains a big part of this offense. He’s one of the best running backs in the league, and if he’s already breaking records set by Sanders, I can only imagine what other records he can break.
Jameson Williams is having a day
The 2026 season has been off to a slow start for Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams. After a solid training camp where he made some crazy catches, the drops slowed him down early on. He was held to fewer than 50 yards in the first three games before surpassing 100 against the Carolina Panthers in Week 4. In Week 5 against the Cardinals, Williams finally found the end zone twice.
Sunday marked Williams’ first-ever multi-touchdown game, and he now has more than 12 touchdowns of 35-plus yards or more, according to the Detroit Lions. Williams hasn’t gone 50 yards, but that doesn’t matter when he finds the end zone. This offense has needed deeper shots, and Williams has dropped a few this season. Teams can try to take Williams out of games, but he’ll get his in the end.
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