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Cornerback Jeff Okudah (No. 3 overall) started six games, was up and down and now is expected to miss the rest of the season with an injury. The Lions need Okudah to be a cornerstone piece for their defense under whoever takes over as head coach in 2021.

They just don't have enough good defensive players to slow teams. It's time to start planning for the new coach.

Hard to envision Detroit keeping it close Sunday in Nashville if QB Matthew Stafford is out or even partially hampered by his rib issues.

There isn't a lot that is stunning here: Detroit's biggest concern was defense before the season (and, really, the past two-plus years). Injuries, a lack of playmaking talent and poor coaching have all been part of the issue. Sunday against Green Bay showed that the effort is there, but the skill level is in question. The offense has been efficient despite injuries, and the special teams, under Brayden Coombs, have been a bright spot. But the defense is why Detroit is in a hole at the moment, getting ready for a complete regime switch in the offseason. -- Michael Rothstein

The Lions hung close against a loaded Packers team on Sunday, but they lost the game and possibly Matthew Stafford after the quarterback exited with a rib injury in the fourth quarter. Stafford shined in last week's dramatic win over the Bears and played another solid game against Green Bay -- the timing of his latest injury has to be supremely frustrating for interim head coach/offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. The defense struggled to hold Aaron Rodgers in check on Sunday, and the unit will have an equally challenging test of a different kind this week against the Titans and perpetual downhill running back Derrick Henry. At 5-8, the Lions will finish at .500 or below for the third straight season. Change is coming.