ESPN analyst reveals what Lions 'Achilles heel' is for 2026 season

The Detroit Lions won their Week 1 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, but it wasn't without some incredible drama. It went to overtime, and the Saints scored a touchdown and made a two-point try to attempt and win the game.

They failed, and the Lions got out of Week 1 with a win despite nearly blowing the game. But that doesn't mean the Lions are safe. In fact, it's the opposite. Their Achilles' heel might've been fully exposed.

According to ESPN analyst Ben Solak, the Lions' Achilles heel has been revealed following this Week 1 performance. The "Achilles' heel" of the Lions this season? Their very questionable secondary.

Lions' 'Achilles' heel' revealed to be their secondary

"I think ... the Lions' secondary is going to be an Achilles' heel," Solak writes. "... The Lions are 1-0 after one week without Branch and Joseph -- that's a huge win. I'm just mightily worried about their ability to stay afloat against a more developed quarterback and deeper passing attack."

Solak has reason to worry about this Lions secondary. While both Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch are out due to injury, the overall defensive unit is one worth being concerned about.

Despite stifling Tyler Shough and the Saints in the first half, the New Orleans QB still wound up throwing for 410 passing yards and three touchdowns.

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It was a massive Week 1 outing for Shough and the Saints offense once they figured out the Lions' defense at halftime. Shough threw for 325 yards in the second half and overtime. That's a ridiculously high mark.

But, from the Lions' perspective, it's a very worrying development to see their defensive backfield struggle so much against Shough and the Saints, despite initially coming out strong.

With a matchup against the Bills on tap in Week 2, after Josh Allen scored 36 points against the highly-touted Houston Texans defense, this Lions defense could be in some major trouble.

Considering their upcoming matchups against Allen and plenty of other talented quarterbacks, the Lions' secondary issues could become their "Achilles' heel" this season.

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