While the Detroit Lions secured a solid 20-13 road victory against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, September 22, there’s still room for improvement as they prepare for their highly anticipated Week 4 “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
NFL expert and analyst Matt Holder recently highlighted a Dallas Cowboys player who could align well with Lions head coach Dan Campbell’s coaching philosophy.
In a Bleacher Report article published on September 23, Holder addressed each team’s biggest weaknesses heading into Week 4 and suggested that the Lions consider targeting Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence in the 2025 free agency.
“While Lawrence’s sack numbers have dipped in recent years, he’s an edge-setter and plays the physical brand of football that Dan Campbell values,” Holder noted.
DeMarcus Lawrence Could ‘Give Aidan Hutchinson Some Support’
Lawrence, 32, earned an impressive 92.4 run-defense grade from Pro Football Focus last season. He also recorded 48 pressures in the 2023 campaign as a pass-rusher.
Holder explained that “Marcus Davenport is only on a one-year deal, and it’s unclear whether he deserves an extension in the offseason. Meanwhile, Detroit should be assessing the free-agent market at defensive end to ensure Aidan Hutchinson gets some help moving forward.”
Adding to the urgency, Davenport suffered a season-ending triceps injury during the Cardinals game, a fact confirmed by Campbell in his press conference on Monday, September 23. The team placed Davenport on injured reserve the following day, September 24.
Elsewhere in the article, Holder mentioned the competitive state of the NFC North. During their victory over Arizona, the Lions ran the ball 43 times for 187 yards, a strategy that “helps Detroit keep pace with the Packers in the NFC North,” though they currently trail the undefeated Vikings for the division lead.
Holder also identified Detroit’s key weaknesses heading into Week 4: cornerback, offensive line depth, wide receiver, linebacker, and defensive tackle.
For immediate support, Holder suggested the Lions explore trading for Buffalo Bills cornerback and former first-round pick Kaiir Elam, stating that “Elam has the talent to make an immediate impact and potentially be part of the long-term solution at corner.”
DeMarcus Lawrence Discusses Cowboys Struggles
At the moment, Lawrence remains with the Cowboys, who are 1-2 heading into Week 4 after their Week 3 loss to the Ravens.
“Of course, it’s frustrating,” Lawrence said after the game. “If you don’t love the game, it wouldn’t be frustrating. I know the guys in this room love the game. That’s why you saw us clean up some of our first-half mistakes in the second half.”
When asked what specifically bothered him, Lawrence replied, “The losing. Not executing on defense where we’re playing 11-man football. It’s all frustrating. We had a game plan, but we didn’t stick to it. Once we stop playing little league football and get back to pro-level football, we’ll be alright.”
The Lions will face Lawrence and the Cowboys when they travel to AT&T Stadium on Sunday, October 13.
