Defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter spoke to the media Tuesday.
Here are 10 takeaways from those conference calls:
1. The Lions missed on a number of deep passes Sunday in San Francisco, but Cooter doesn't see that as a big problem or trend the offense needs to really address at this point. Cooter will continue to be aggressive and take shots. He believes they'll hit more of them moving forward.
2. The stretch zone plays that opponents have run for touchdowns of 62 and 66 yards in the first two weeks are a team defense problem, according to Pasqualoni. There are assignments and responsibilities for each level of the defense, and there has been a breakdown on each of those plays that's allowed for big gains. Pasqualoni said the only thing he can do is address the problems and work on them.
3. The Lions averaged 5.4 yards per carry Sunday against the 49ers, which Cooter was obviously encouraged by. The score dictated the Lions throw more in the second half, but Cooter liked the way the offensive line made holes and the way the backs ran behind their pads and generated yards after contact.
View team photographer Gavin Smith's best stylized photos from the Detroit Lions' Week 2 game vs. San Francisco 49ers.
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) catches a 30-yard touchdown pass during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson (91) during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew (39) during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) catches a pass during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) catches a touchdown during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew (39) returns a punt during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson (33) during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions linebacker Devon Kennard (42) celebrates a sack during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions safety Glover Quin (27) makes a tackle during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions defensive back Quandre Diggs (28) celebrates a stop during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. (11) during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay (19) celebrates a touchdown catch during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions fan in the stands during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) reaches for a first down during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand (93) makes a tackle during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) catches a pass during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions linebacker Eli Harold (57) celebrates a sack during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
Detroit Lions cornerback Jamal Agnew (39) during a NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Detroit Lions via AP).
4. Detroit's defense had six sacks against the 49ers. After watching the tape, Pasqualoni also gave credit to his secondary for that high total. Pass rush and coverage work together to create sacks, and that was certainly the case Sunday. The Lions are currently third in the NFL in sacks with 8.0. Chicago is first with 10.0 and Dallas second with 9.0.
5. Cooter called the New England defense big and physical. The Patriots play a lot of man coverage and do a good job in the back end with all their matchups. Cooter expects a physical game Sunday night at Ford Field.
6. The Lions started cornerback Teez Tabor against the 49ers because they set up some packages for him and wanted to get him into the game more than they did Week 1 (two defensive snaps). Pasqualoni said he has a lot of confidence in all his players, and wants to use them if the game plan calls for opportunities to do so. Tabor was targeted three times in the game and allowed three catches for 48 yards, per Pro Football Focus stats. He also made four tackles.
7. A reported asked Cooter why Kerryon Johnson hasn't gotten more opportunities to touch the ball early on this season. Johnson is averaging 4.6 yards per carry on only 13 rushes, and has eight catches for 43 yards. Trailing big in the second half the way the Lions have in each of their first two games hasn't helped from a carries perspective. The Lions are going to continue to spread the ball around, but Cooter did say any player who consistently continues to show playmaking ability will get more opportunities moving forward.
8. Rookie safety Tracy Walker made a big interception late in that game that was nullified by a holding penalty away from the ball, but his 10 snaps on defense were very good. Pasqualoni said the impressive thing about his rookie's performance was the moment not being too big for him.
9. Taylor Decker is currently the 47th highest graded offensive tackle in the NFL by PFF. When asked about Decker, Cooter said his starting left tackle has had some good plays and bad plays, like everyone on offense, and he expects him to continue to get better moving forward.
10. What changes for the defense against Tom Brady and the Patriots this week if cornerback Darius Slay (concussion) can't play? Nothing, according to Pasqualoni. They have a next-man-up philosophy here in Detroit. They'll create a game plan and whomever plays cornerback will have to learn it. Business as usual.
