Vikings face NFL's No. 1 defense in Lions

The Lions defense enters Sunday's game against the Vikings with the …

… wait, that can't be right …

… the NFL's top-ranked defense.

Yes, after checking multiple websites for confirmation, this isn't a typo — through five games, the Lions have the No. 1 defense in the league.

"I've seen these guys for years kind of shoot themselves in the foot, especially defensively, but they look great," Vikings receiver Greg Jennings said. "They look really good. They look really good on defense."

So good, Jennings likely said it three times to believe it. He's approaching his 14th contest against the Lions in nine seasons with the Packers and Vikings, losing to Detroit just twice in his career. This won't be the same Lions defense he's faced before.

"Honestly, it's a different team," Jennings said.

The Lions have given up only 282.4 yards per game and 15.8 points per game, ranking first and second in those categories, respectively. Despite drafting talented defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh in 2010 and Nick Fairley in 2011, they've never finished in the top 10 in either statistical category, lacking a consistent defense that wouldn't collapse in the fourth quarter.

"They're playing with a lot of confidence," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. "I think the people rushing obviously help, but they've always helped. I think the cover guys in the back end, their corners and their safeties, are playing well too."

That's the biggest difference. Detroit finally has a secondary to complement its defensive line.

The Lions signed safety James Ihedigbo in free agency to pair an experienced veteran with free safety Glover Quin. It also reunited Ihedigbo with Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who served as the Ravens defensive backs coach last season.

It wasn't the splashiest move in the offseason, but Ihedigbo has meshed well with the pieces the Lions already had in place. Rashean Mathis, in his 12th season, and Darius Slay, in his second, have solidified the starting cornerback positions. Many thought the position would be a weakness for the Lions, but they've outperformed expectations so far — such as Mathis' 41-yard interception returned for a touchdown against the Bills on Sunday.

"I think those two veterans [Ihedigbo and Mathis] have really helped him a lot being on the field," said Vikings fullback Jerome Felton, who spent his first three NFL seasons (2008-2010) with Detroit. "They've been playing real consistent, so it's going to be a tough duty. We're going to have to bring our 'A' game."

In Felton's second season with the Lions, they drafted linebacker DeAndre Levy in the third round. Felton has noticed from afar the growth Levy has made over six seasons, where now Levy ranks fifth with 51 combined tackles and rated as the ninth-best 4-3 outside linebacker by Pro Football Focus.

His emergence couldn't come at a better time. Linebacker Stephen Tulloch was placed on injured reserve, tearing his ACL celebrating a sack in Week 3. Detroit had to shuffle its linebackers due to Tulloch's injury, but the unit hasn't seen much drop off over the last two weeks.

"Losing Tulloch hurt them, but [Levy's] taking over that leadership role and providing stability on defense," Felton said.

Then there's the defensive line that has remained the Lions biggest strength once again. The gains made at linebacker and secondary positions wouldn't be possible without the guys up front, which everyone at Winter Park attributes for the Lions top ranked defense. They are continuing to create havoc in the trenches on pass situations, setting the tone for the rest of the defense. They are limiting opponents to just 74.4 rushing yards a game, which has created those pass rush situations up front to collect 12 sacks.

"I think they're hungry to get better," Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. "We certainly haven't arrived. We got a long way to go, but I do think our guys really know how to take on a challenge when presented with one every single week. This week won't be any different."

This might be the toughest defense rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings offense will face this season.

Yes, the Lions.

Though those white and Honolulu blue road uniforms will look the same, Jennings won't carry the same perspective he, and just about everyone else, had about the Lions defense.

"That was a different time for them," Jennings said. "Right now, that's now who they are. I don't even put them in that category anymore. That's not what they're showing on film. That's not who they are."