Detroit Lions Kerby Joseph Leads Safeties in Lowest Passer Rating Allowed

Entering Week 9 of the 2023 NFL season, Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph leads all players at his position in passer ratings allowed to opposing to quarterbacks with at least 15 targets. 

Prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders, the talented safety had yet to record an interception, as teams have looked to avoid targeting his side of the field. 

“My second year, I guess I got a little respect in the league, so it’s cool that they know what’s up, but still, throw the ball, man,” Joseph told reporters, via the Free Press. “Throw the ball. But it’s like, I just got to take it game by game.”

Secondary coach Brian Duker recently expressed he feels confident in the skillset of his defensive backs, especially tracking the football. 

“Sometimes it’s like a really good corner, they just don’t throw his way and he just doesn’t get the numbers. So I think some of those guys, if you’re in good position, they don’t challenge you and maybe that opportunity’s not there but that’s cause you took away several of the throws, too," Duker said. “So I feel confident in our guys’ ball skills and attacking and tracking the football and all that, that if teams try to attack us that way, I think we’ll be all right and get some.”

Joseph was able to record his first interception on Monday Night Football against a Raiders team that leads the NFL in interceptions and total turnovers. 

“I lick my chops every game," Joseph said. "On the regular, you can’t throw at me. You going to throw the ball, I’m going to be around. So, you better watch out for me. Don’t watch out for me. Like don’t watch out for me, watch out for me, do what you do, bro. I’m going to be there.”

Lowest passer ratings allowed

• 1.) Lions Kerby Joseph -- 33.8 
• 2) Packers Rudy Ford -- 52.9 
• 3) Ravens Kyle Hamilton -- 57.8 
• 4) Colts Rodney Thomas -- 58.4 
• 5) Colts Julian Blackmon -- 59.0 
• 6) Ravens Geno Stone -- 59.1