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This Detroit Lions’ rushing statistic should shock fans!

By Steven Mullenax

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Ameer Abdullah #21 of the Detroit Lions is tackled in the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Ameer Abdullah #21 of the Detroit Lions is tackled in the fourth quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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This so-called amazing rushing statistic should shock fans of the Detroit Lions and spark the Lions’ organization to make a drastic move if it continues.

The Detroit Lions’ have a talented core of running backs currently on their roster. With names like Theo Riddick, Ameer Abdullah, Zach Zenner, Dwayne Washington and Matt Asiata populating the depth chart, the Lions’ should have a dominate ground game.

Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case in recent years. Last season, the Lions’ had the third worst rushing offense in the NFL. The only teams ranked lower were the Los Angeles Rams (31st) and a divisional foe in the Minnesota Vikings (32nd).

But again, this isn’t breaking news among Lion fans. But just how bad Detroit’s running game has been in the past eight years combine is utterly shocking.

"“The Lions averaged 81.9 rushing yards per game in 2016,” wrote Tim Twentyman on the team’s official website, detroitlions.com. “This has been an ongoing problem in Detroit for a while now, but especially during the Matthew Stafford era. The Lions have had a running back reach 100 yards rushing in a game just seven times dating back to 2009. That’s a pretty amazing statistic if you think about it.”"

To put that crazy statistic into prospective, Dallas Cowboys’ rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott broke the rushing century mark a whopping eight times in 2016 alone. Zeke also had yardage totals of 92, 96, 97 and 97 rushing in four other contests for Dallas last season.

Elliott, the fourth overall selection in the 2016 draft out of Ohio State, rushed for a total of 1,631 yards himself during his first year with the Cowboys. The Lions’ entire team posted just 1,310 combined rushing yards last season.

Next: NFC North Position Rankings - Running Backs

With both Riddick and Abdullah struggling with injuries during their time in Detroit, the Lions’ organization should seriously consider picking a running back very high in next year’s draft. Especially if the team continues to struggle on the ground this season.

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