What happened: Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard pushed back against outside narratives surrounding his unit. The coach stated he is not worried about the perception of the defense and called suggestions that someone must carry the group 'ultra disrespectful.'

Why it matters: The defense has faced recent scrutiny, following a Sunday loss to the Panthers marred by 20 defensive lapses. Sheppard additionally defended the team's blitz calls as the correct choices despite a lack of success generating pressure.

What to watch: Detroit will attempt to shore up its defensive execution in its next regular-season game.