Golden Tate

Golden Tate played for the Seahawks last year. He plays for the Lions this year. And he says the Lions' defense can be as good as Seattle's Legion of Boom. (AP Photo)

ALLEN PARK -- Golden Tate got an up-close look at last year's Seattle Seahawks defense, which carried that team to a Super Bowl title and is considered one of the best ever.

Now he's getting an up-close look at this year's Detroit Lions defense, which has allowed the fewest yards and points per game in the league through six games. And Nick Fairley said after Sunday's 17-3 win against the Minnesota Vikings that this defense could be historically great.

So, Golden, who you got?

"I think we have the potential to be as dominant as those guys, no question about it," Tate said Monday. "It's still so early. This is only like my sixth game on this team. I was with those guys for four years. It's kind of hard to say.

"But I definitely see the potential, if we keep it up. Stats don't lie."

The Lions have been absolutely suffocating on defense this year. They are allowing a paltry 270.7 yards and 13.7 points per game, both of which lead the league.

Only two other teams are allowing fewer than 20 points per game.

Detroit ranks No. 2 in both pass and rush defense. San Diego and San Francisco are the only other teams that rank even in the top 10 of both those categories.

Through six games, those numbers compare favorably to Seattle's Legion of Boom from last year. The Seahawks finished No. 1 in overall defense and No. 1 against the pass, but were just seventh against the run.

They allowed 14.4 points per game, which led the league but is more than Detroit's 13.7.

Another hallmark of both teams: They get off the field on third down. The Lions rank second in third-down defense, allowing a conversion just 31.3 percent of the time. Seattle finished sixth last year at 34.3 percent.

But there are differences in the two defenses as well. One is in how they were constructed.

Detroit makes its hay up front, where first-rounders Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley and Ezekiel Ansah are the face the league's most-feared defensive line.

Seattle, conversely, was paced by star defensive backs such as Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas.

"I think that's pretty accurate," Tate said.

Another difference: The Seahawks were much better at generating takeaways, with a league-best 39 last year. Detroit is 13th this season with nine.

"Seattle, they just have a knack for getting balls," Tate said. "In Seattle, if a ball was tipped or overthrown, it was getting picked, no questions asked. I think we're getting to that I point. I know Coach makes a big emphasis out of getting turnovers and guys believe in it."

The Lions will have a much stiffer test Sunday when they host the New Orleans Saints and their second-ranked passing attack. Beating up on Teddy Bridgewater is one thing, but doing it against Drew Brees is a whole other animal.

This game could be a litmus test for just how good this defense is, and provide some clarity as to whether the No. 1 ranking is a mirage or the real deal.

-- Download the Detroit Lions MLive app for iPhone and Android

-- Follow Kyle Meinke on Twitter

-- Like MLive's Detroit Lions Facebook page