Leaky defenses can lead to big scoring

JACKSONVILLE — Bet the over.

Detroit and Jacksonville have two of the NFL’s worst defenses, unable to stop anyone, anywhere, any week. The Lions (1-3) rank last in the league in rushing yards allowed, giving up more than 170 a game. The Jaguars (1-4) are near the bottom of every major defensive category, including 30th in total yards and last in yards per play.

The teams are among a group of seven allowing more than 400 yards and about 30 points a game.

So when they meet in Jacksonville on Sunday for the first time in eight years, it should be an ideal matchup for a high-scoring affair. And the smart money appears to be on the over. The over/under opened at 52 1⁄ total

2 points.

The Lions spent their early-season bye week trying to address their defensivewoes.

“We’re working hard to try to make sure that there is consistency,” coachMatt Patricia said.

The problem is there’s more than one area of concern. Detroit has seen different guys miss tackles and assignments and fail to shed blocks in every game.

“We have to do a better job in the run game, andwe have to settle some things down there that have hurt usandplaywith better fundamentals and technique and just be consistent,” Patricia said. “We have some good run plays on tape and unfortunately too many bad ones. We have to try to get teams in a situation where they have to pass the ball more.”

Jacksonville is planning a heavy dose of rookie JamesRobinson, whois averaging nearly 5 yards a carry. Robinson has been one of the few bright spots on a team that has given up 30 or more points in four consecutive losses — the third time in franchise history that has happened.

The Jaguars have been downright dismal on defense, and injuries have forced several first- and second-year players into the starting lineup.

“There’s a pit-in-mystomach feeling that I have that I can’t find a way to figure out how to get these guys to [be consistent],” coach Doug Marrone said. “I don’t want to make it sound like I’m frustrated from a standpoint of I’m mad or [ticked] off or anything like that.

“That’s not how I feel. I feel hurt that I’m not able to do my job and bring themall together to be consistent.”

Stafford shut out: Matthew Stafford has thrown 264 touchdown passes since Detroit drafted him No. 1 overall in 2009.

The Jaguars are the only NFL team against which Stafford has not thrown for a score. He would like to endthedrought in his third game against them.

“Yeah, that’d be great,” he said. “I’d love to have that on the tombstone or something.”

Kicking carousel: The Jaguars will set an NFL record by using their fifth kicker in as many games Sunday.

It’s been a revolving door for the Jaguars since JoshLamboinjured his hip in aWeek 2 loss at Tennessee. Brandon Wright and Aldrick Rosaswere injured the next two games, and Steven Hauschka was cut after missing two field goals atHouston lastweek.

Now it’s Jon Brown’s turn. A former college soccer player, Brown was promoted from the practice squad and will make his NFL debut against the Lions.