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Four Downs: Lions' defense shows signs of brighter days

Allen Park — Here are four observations after having a night to ponder the Detroit Lions' 31-0 victory over the Green Bay Packers.

First Down

One of the popular refrains from last offseason, and one you're likely to hear from a Matt Patricia-coached team annually, was "last year is last." The mantra intends to dismiss the idea the past has any impact on the present or future, which given the NFL's season-to-season roster turnover is an understandable point of view.

But there's something to be said about the adjustments and improvements the Lions made on defense throughout Patricia's first season and the likelihood some of that success can carry over to 2019.