Kelvin Sheppard had a pretty revealing admission about the Lions’ defense that led to a brutally honest meeting with players and coaches after Buffalo

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard held a brutally honest meeting with players and coaches following the team's Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills. The Lions allowed 23 explosive plays across their first two games of the 2026 season, prompting a self-scouting session during the extended break before facing the New York Jets.

During the film review, players were required to explain their actions and assignments on each explosive play while coaches remained silent. Sheppard stated that approximately 75 percent of the explosive plays conceded against the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills were self-induced mistakes rather than superior plays by opposing offenses.