Detroit’s defensive line accounted for four sacks — McNeill (1), Josh Paschal (1), Pat O’Connor (1) and James Houston (1) — as the Lions also hit Stroud seven times and racked up nine tackles for loss in a 26-23 win. It was just the fourth game since at least 1994 a Detroit defense had at least nine tackles for loss, four sacks and two interceptions.

McNeill said after the game the defensive line took their head coach’s challenge to heart.

“We did our best to step up to it and make that impact in the game,” he said. “Do what you’re supposed to do and make plays. There’s no secret formula. I feel like in the first half there just were some things that weren’t going our way. We were playing defense, but some things weren’t happening. Everything came together for us toward the end, it’s about how you finish and not how you start.”

It was a great game defensively and that front is about to get some reinforcements with veteran Za’Darius Smith expected to make his Lions debut next week when Detroit hosts Jacksonville at Ford Field.