# John Maakaron: Maakaron argues the Lions' defense, undermined by undersized cornerbacks who cannot cover, is heading toward being one of the worst defensive units in NFL history.

**Claimed:** Oct 6, 2026
**Pundit:** John Maakaron — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/john-maakaron
**Outlet:** Sports Illustrated — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/sports-illustrated
**How it reached us:** published in writing
**Original:** https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/after-six-years-dan-campbell-has-been-lionized

One checkable claim, graded on its own against what actually happened.

Nothing to score yet: this grades once the result is in.

> A simple word that describes a coach that is far too loyal to subpar coaches leading a unit that is trending towards being not only horrid, but one of the worst NFL defenses ever to take the field.

*(their words, quoted for attribution)*

## The claims

- “a unit that is trending towards being not only horrid, but one of the worst NFL defenses ever to take the field”
  - Kind: Position Group Finish · About: Detroit Lions
  - Verdict: not settled yet

## Who this take is about

- Detroit Lions — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/lions

## What others said about the same people

- Christian Booher on Anthony Lucas: Booher previews the Lions' Week 9 trip to Miami, predicting Derrick Barnes takes over as the green-dot linebacker in Jack Campbell's absence, Juice Scruggs starts at center, and boldly forecasting Detroit's first defensive touchdown of the season on an Aidan Hutchinson strip-sack recovered and returned by Barnes. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/228a7c0e-608b-4043-a8fa-eb3f8b2c4ce8 (scored 0)
- Pete Prisco on Detroit Lions: Prisco gives score predictions for every Week 9 NFL game, picking the Bengals to rout the Falcons in Madrid, the Cowboys to rebound at Indianapolis, and the Jaguars to win in Baltimore without Lamar Jackson. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/dc43909b-bc7f-47aa-b208-5cf7c95844bc (scored 83.33)
- Evan “Foxy” Fox on Detroit Lions: Foxy predicted a blowout Lions win over the Dolphins by a score of 45-21. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/eaf09464-1ce1-44e7-90a0-a02ac2960db9 (scored 66.67)
- Chris Simms on Detroit Lions: Simms gave a predicted final score for every Week 9 game, picking the Bengals, Chiefs, Broncos, Lions, Giants, Rams, Cowboys, Saints, 49ers, Patriots, Seahawks, Texans, Bears and Bills, and also said they wouldn't be shocked to see Jacksonville reach the AFC Championship Game. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/17eb747a-90b1-472f-bb6d-e71c0c69133a (scored 100)
- Nick Wright on Detroit Lions: Wright made several outright game calls for Week 9 alongside their spread picks: Kansas City beating the Jets 31-20, Detroit winning at Miami, New England edging Green Bay by a field goal or so, Carolina winning outright over Denver, and Houston blowing out the Chargers 27-12. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/14c1f8dd-d8ff-498f-b705-4b468ff964f8 (scored 100)
- Richard Sherman on Detroit Lions: Sherman ranked the 49ers first in their Week 9 top five ahead of Buffalo, Chicago, Jacksonville and Denver, picked every Week 9 game with scores, and gave midseason award picks headlined by Brock Purdy for MVP and Kyle Shanahan for Coach of the Year. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/97d44ed7-e136-4f44-babc-78b1d8d020ad (scored 80.95)

## More position group finish

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

- Brent Sobleski on Dallas Cowboys: In their 2027 NFL mock draft, Sobleski has the Cowboys selecting Oregon defensive tackle A'Mauri Washington at No. 21 overall (via the Packers), and considers Washington a first-round talent despite their down season. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/8cb4e2ee-db0a-4b68-90bf-8ac9f4230349 (not settled)
- Carter Bahns on Jacksonville Jaguars: Bahns ranks all 18 in-season NFL trades by impact, projecting that Kirk Cousins lifts a Super Bowl-contending Vikings offense, Jeffery Simmons transforms Chicago's defense, and Jacksonville's additions push the Jaguars toward the AFC's top seed. They also forecast roles for several acquired players, including Marvin Harrison Jr. sitting low in Houston's receiver pecking order and Daiyan Henley backing up in Denver. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b2b66e67-15ca-4915-ad10-1266766d1d9b (not settled)
- Raymond Summerlin on Indianapolis Colts: In their Week 10 waiver wire column, Summerlin makes a handful of role and depth-chart calls alongside their weekly streaming advice: Corey Kiner starting for the Patriots, Chuba Hubbard holding the Panthers' lead job with Jonathon Brooks returning in a complementary role, rookie Carson Beck quarterbacking Arizona the rest of the season, Kyle McCord debuting against the Colts, and the Colts fielding possibly the league's worst offense going forward. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/b30c2739-2d6a-4cc8-8d36-3f4be391c986 (not settled)
- Jose Sanchez on San Francisco 49ers: Sanchez graded the 49ers' trade deadline a B, praising the DeForest Buckner acquisition and predicting the 49ers' interior pass rush will be dominant going forward, with Buckner and Osa Odighizuwa both among the league's best defensive tackles. They also expect Keenan Allen to be only a depth contributor. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/88d18bca-7755-4c32-b503-53868fbdeb0b (not settled)
- Zachary Pereles on Baltimore Ravens: Pereles grades the Brissett trade well for both sides, projecting Brissett as Baltimore's Week 10 starter who gives the Ravens a workable but below-average offense, and identifying the Chargers and Panthers games as winnable. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/883b3e26-6021-4fe9-bc77-d8daec04922c (not settled)
- Jordan Dajani on Chicago Bears: In a set of bold predictions for the 2026 season, Dajani picked Joe Burrow for MVP, Liam Coen for Coach of the Year, the defending champion Seahawks to miss the playoffs, and the Bears to win Super Bowl LXI. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/4b3c75e1-6367-4e3f-bf61-7e8d3c398b2b (not settled)

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Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages.

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