Lions lose two key defensive players just as they face tough stretch of games

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions are 2-1 thanks to a defense that has made up for a shaky start from what was expected to be a high-scoring offense.

The Lions are averaging just 18.7 points in regulation and have scored only three points in the fourth quarter. That's why, eight months after their run to the NFC Championship game, they are lucky to have any wins. They needed a late field goal to force overtime in a 26-20 Week 1 victory over Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams.

They lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, then held on for an ugly 20-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Jared Goff threw an apparent pick-6 late in the game, but the officials ruled the two-minute warning came before the snap.

That defense has been crucial, and that's not likely to change with games coming up against Seattle, Dallas and Minnesota.

On Monday, fans found out the Lions will go into those games without two key members of that defense.

Coach Dan Campbell announced that defensive end Marcus Davenport will miss the rest of the season with an elbow injury and linebacker Derrick Barnes will miss a “significant amount of time” with a knee injury.

“We're still getting second opinions on Barnes, and those will be coming in for a while,” Campbell said. “He's going to be down for a little while to heal, but is he going to need surgery?”

Davenport, a free agent signing from the Vikings, has played an important role as the No. 2 defensive end alongside Aidan Hutchinson. His ability to pressure quarterbacks meant offensive coordinators couldn't focus entirely on stopping Hutchinson.

Levi Onwuzurike, who can play defensive tackle and end, will get a lot of reps in Davenport's spot, as will third-year end Josh Pascal.

“This is going to be big for (Paschal),” Campbell said. “He's going to take a load over there. He continues to grow and we're going to need him to step up.”

Barnes has been Detroit's best linebacker, and there's no obvious candidate to replace him on the strong side. Ben Niemann did it on Sunday, but he has spent most of his time at the other linebacker spots.

“We have a lot of depth, and we trust every player,” Campbell said. “It's going to hurt losing Barnes, because he's playing at a high level, but if it has to happen, the linebacker room gives us faith, because all those guys can play.”

That will be important in the tough stretch coming up.

The Lions haven't scored as much as they need to, but the run game has picked up where it left off last season. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs have combined for 438 rushing yards and another 130 receiving. They've scored five of Detroit's seven touchdowns.

NFL teams have been throwing shorter passes this season, thanks to the resurgence of two-deep coverages, but the Lions have taken it too far. Goff has completed 59 passes to his top five receivers — Gibbs, Montgomery, wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams and tight end Sam LaPorta — but they have been caught an average of just 4.9 yards past the line of scrimmage.

Jack Fox is averaging 49.5 yards per punt with a long of 68, and has pinned the opposition inside the 20 eight times. He punted five times against the Cardinals at an average of 49.4 yards and Arizona's average starting position was their own 8.

After finally flashing his big-play ability in the first two games of the season, Williams touched the ball twice against the Cardinals for 2 yards. He needs to become a deep threat that opens up St. Brown underneath.

The Lions lost several players on Sunday, although Davenport and Barnes were the most serious injuries. Playmaking safety Brian Branch is in concussion protocol, LaPorta sprained an ankle, defensive tackle Alim McNeill hurt a shoulder and cornerback Terrion Arnold sustained a knee injury. All are listed as day-to-day, and they could benefit from an extra day of rest before Monday night's game against the Seahawks.

3 — The number of consecutive years the Lions have lost to the Seahawks. In a fluke of scheduling, this will be the third straight season the teams play at Ford Field in the first four weeks of the season — Detroit lost 48-45 in Week 4 in 2022 and 37-31 in overtime in last year's Week 2.

Figure out a way to slow down the Seattle offense. The Seahawks have averaged 45.3 points in their three recent victories over Detroit, with Russell Wilson and Geno Smith going a combined 75 of 100 for 884 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions.

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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) rushes for a first down as Detroit Lions cornerback Carlton Davis III (23) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is hit by Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) reacts to his interception of a Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray pass during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (4) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Detroit Lions head coach Dave Campbell talks to the media after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Angel Reese sent the message loud and clear to her teammates: “I need the ball! I need the ball!”

In front of the Golden State Valkyries' raucous home crowd, the Atlanta star had no choice but to raise her voice — and Reese knew she had to raise her game, too.

She delivered with 30 points and 16 rebounds in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals after she struggled down the stretch in the series opener, and the Dream stymied Golden State on both ends in the second half to beat the Valkyries 79-65 on Monday night and even the best-of-seven matchup at one game apiece.

“For me, I think I let my team down last game not really contributing as much as I could in the second half,” Reese said. “Not even just about scoring, my screen quality, me hustling and running to get rebounds, just doing the things that they know me to do. So I just wanted to make sure I came out tonight and left my mark and did whatever I could to get the win, and I think I did that tonight.”

Rhyne Howard set a Finals record with six steals, Allisha Gray added 18 points, and Jordin Canada contributed 13 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as the Dream earned the franchise's first Finals victory after going winless in three previous trips — 0-10 overall. They now head home having salvaged a split in front of the boisterous “Ballhalla” crowd at Chase Center.

“It's just the next step of who Atlanta is,” Reese said.

Reese became the third player with at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a Finals game, joining Jonquel Jones for Connecticut in 2019 and Breanna Stewart for Seattle in 2020.

Atlanta coach Karl Smesko could see the focus in his superstar's face before the game, and Reese's teammates also saw it.

“She was definitely way more aggressive, she had a great game,” Valkyries center Kiah Stokes said. “We let everyone kind of have their way.”

Game 3 is Wednesday in Atlanta, where the next two matchups were moved to the NBA Hawks’ State Farm Arena so more fans could attend. It holds more than 17,000, as opposed to the Dream’s regular home, Gateway Center Arena, which accommodates only 3,500.

Chase Center holds 18,064 and has sold out every game since the Valkyries began playing last year.

Gabby Williams finished with 14 points on 3-for-15 shooting after she was the only Golden State player to score in double figures with 26 points in Saturday’s 68-64 Game 1 win. The Valkyries shot 34.4% and went 7 for 24 from 3-point range.

“We shot terribly,” point guard Veronica Burton said. “We missed shots that we make all the time.”

Foul trouble almost did in the Dream this time — but Reese simply wouldn’t have it. She went scoreless in the second half of the opener but delivered the big baskets and key defensive stops two days later, finishing 10 for 16 from the floor while dishing out three assists and blocking two shots.

“We watched film and saw the things that we messed up on. When I said that they didn’t do anything to mess us up, it was literally just us,” Reese said. “And we can see that tonight. And we’re gonna carry that over in Atlanta. Atlanta, y’all better pull up and pop out, I’m looking forward to it.”

Atlanta scored 24 points off Golden State's 19 turnovers to hand the Valkyries their first loss in regulation since a 73-70 defeat at Chicago on Aug. 21. The Dream had just eight points off turnovers in Game 1 but returned to the defensive formula that advanced Atlanta this far.

“We just got back to our identity about who we are and kept our foot on the pedal,” Reese said. “We didn’t let up and everybody was just on the same page, we had each other’s back. That’s just Atlanta basketball.”

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) reacts after an and-one foul during the second half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Golden State Valkyries, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (1) passes the ball while defended by Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese, left, during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals in San Francisco, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) reacts during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Golden State Valkyries, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

Atlanta Dream guard-forward Rhyne Howard, left, steals the ball from Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (1) during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) calls a play against the Atlanta Dream during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) reacts during the first half of Game 2 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Golden State Valkyries, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

Golden State Valkyries and Warriors owner Joe Lacob, middle, watches with Warriors president and chief operating officer Brandon Schneider, middle left, and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr during the second half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams celebrates after Game 1 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Atlanta Dream, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen reacts after scoring against the Atlanta Dream during the first half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball finals, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes (15) celebrates with guard-forward Kaila Charles (6) during the second half of Game 1 of the WNBA basketball finals, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)