ALLEN PARK — When linebacker Derrick Barnes was handed a game ball in the locker room after the win over Tampa Bay, he tossed it to Kelvin Sheppard, the defensive coordinator.
The defense excelled in the 24-9 victory even though they were without most of the starting secondary. Inexperienced defensive backs stepped in big time. They were prepared.
“Guys responded, which we knew they would. The defense played lights out,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. “Give a lot of credit to Kelvin Sheppard. The plan to go against these guys, knowing what we were about to face.”
It was Sheppard who created a plan to go against quarterback Baker Mayfield who had been mentioned as a candidate for NFL MVP — until Monday night.
“Great plan. Hell of a coach. Even though he’s young, we believe in him,’’ cornerback Amik Robertson said. “We believe in him to put us in the right position and that’s what I feel like he did tonight. And he had no doubt in us. He had no doubt in us.”
Sheppard, 37, in his first season as defensive coordinator has made the transition from Aaron Glenn seamless.
“Listen, I just think Shepp has gotten better and better and better. I think he’s gotten more and more comfortable as he’s gone. I feel like he’s got a really good feel of our personnel, what the opponent is trying to do,’’ Campbell said nothing that he’s got a really good staff with him.
Campbell hired Sheppard as outside linebackers coach in 2020 as part of his inaugural coaching team. He coached the linebackers from 2022 to 2024 so was familiar with many of the players.
The LSU product played cornerback for multiple NFL teams including the Lions in 2018.
‘(Sheppard) knows how to communicate, he understands how to really give them the picture of what we are looking at,’’ Campbell said. “I am really proud of him, but I’m not shocked either. This is what I expected out of Kelvin Sheppard, man. This isn’t surprising. It’s a really good job.”
Campbell mentioned defensive backs CB Arthur Maulet, S Erick Hallett, S Thomas Harper, Nick Whiteside, CB Amik Robertson, CB Rock Ya-Sin, S Loren Strickland, and CB Tre Flowers.
“None of those guys blinked,’’ Campbell said.
Along with Sheppard, Campbell praised defensive assistant/safeties Jim O’Neil and passing game coordinator/defensive backs Deshea Townsend.
“They had those guys ready to go, and I think they competed, they challenged,’’ Campbell said.
UP NEXT: It’s the Lions bye week. Next game on Sunday, Nov. 2 at Ford Field against the Minnesota Vikings.
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