ALLEN PARK -- Kelvin Sheppard knows his defense has struggled in recent weeks, with a pass rush struggling to impact quarterbacks, and that the Detroit Lions are outside of the playoff picture.

But the first-year defensive coordinator also took ownership for his defense, having 10 and then 12 players on the field at crucial points of the Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers.

The Lions had 10 players on the field for a 13-yard run on an early third-down play. Then, they had too many players on third down inside the 10-yard line, leading to a four-point swing on the touchdown.

Sheppard called those elementary mistakes, and that you learn when you’re 5 years old how many players have to be on the field.

Despite the lack of production and takeaways, Sheppard told his defense that the

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