15769039-standard (1).jpg

Lions safety James Ihedigbo says the Patriots should fear Detroit's defense. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

ALLEN PARK -- There was the "Orange Crush" and the "Killer B's." The "Steel Curtain" and "Fearsome Foursome."

Don't forget the "Big Blue Wrecking Crew," and the "Purple People Eaters," and the "New York Sack Exchange," and the "Monsters of the Midway."

There have been some damn good defenses over the years. But the truly special ones get sweet nicknames, like Seattle's "Legion of Boom" last season.

Time will tell whether this Detroit Lions defense belongs in the history books. But it seems they've already got the nickname part figured out.

The "Free Hurt Defense."

It has a certain ring to it, doesn't it?

That's what some of the guys have started calling themselves. They even have hats. And you know you've really made it once there's hats.

So what does that mean? Free hurt? Safety Glover Quin explained a few weeks ago that everything in life comes at a price. But this defense is willing to dole out the hurt for free.

"That's what it is -- free hurt," safety James Ihedigbo said this week. "However you want it, this one comes for free, and you can come back and get a refill as many times as you want.

"Tax free. Duty free."

The numbers back up the attitude.

The Lions lead the NFL in total defense (290.3 yards allowed per game), as well as scoring defense (15.6 points). No one else is allowing fewer than 300 yards per game, or 17 points per game.

They also allow the fewest rushing yards, at 68.8 per game. They haven't allowed even one of their opponents to reach its season average.

The Lions' greatest weakness on defense appears to be their pass coverage. They rank fifth.

"To me, we can be the best ever," defensive tackle Nick Fairley said a few weeks ago, after the Lions' defense racked up eight sacks of poor Minnesota rookie Teddy Brigewater.

That statement remains hyperbole. But it's also not as crazy as it once sounded, now that Detroit has led the world in defense for more than two months.

Yet the Lions still feel like they don't get the respect they deserve.

They're headed into a clash Sunday with the AFC-leading New England Patriots, and much of the early talk has centered on New England's explosive offense. They've averaged 45.3 points in their last three games, and won six in a row.

People are asking about this being a litmus-test game for the Lions' defense. And the Lions think maybe that question should be flipped around.

"It goes both ways," Ihedigbo said, somewhat miffed at the question. "You'd think this would be a litmus test for them as well, right? So we'll see, come Sunday."

The Patriots have a future hall-of-fame quarterback in Tom Brady. They have a mastermind head coach in Bill Belichick. They have three Super Bowl titles since 2001.

They haven't lost a halftime lead at home since 2000. (That's not a typo.) They haven't lost at home since 2012.

What do you think of th....

"We don't care," defensive tackle C.J. Mosley interjected, before the question could even be finished. Now that's confidence.

The Patriots offer a lot of reasons to fear them, especially at home. But Ihedigbo wants you to remember that Detroit's defense should be feared too.

"Man, look at the names and guys we've got on this team. You should be intimidated by the people we've got on this team," he said. "We got (Ndamukong) Suh. We got guys that are beasts in this league, not even just on this team.

"So why should we take a backseat to anybody? Why should we?"

Well, there are a few reasons this week.

Brady, after all, is 88-14 as a starter in home games. And he's orchestrating the NFL's hottest offense over the past month.

The Lions are good, after starting the season 7-3 and joining Green Bay atop the NFC North. But the Patriots just dismembered the division-leading Broncos and Colts by 22 points apiece.

Isn't that a little overwhelming?

"Nothing's overwhelming," Ihedigbo said. "We are the No. 1 defense. We've kind of earned that. Respect is not given in this league, it's earned. And we've earned that."

And what about the people who still aren't sure just how good this defense is?

"It doesn't matter. Just watch," Ihedigbo said. "You don't have to like us, you don't have to love us. You don't have to cheer for us. Our fans are behind us, and what we have in this locker room. To everybody outside that, just watch."

Does Ihedigbo think teams fear them yet?

"Play us on Sundays. If you ain't, you will," Ihedigbo said. "You'll see by the end of it."

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

-- Follow Kyle Meinke on Twitter

-- Like MLive's Detroit Lions Facebook page