Oct 10, 2011; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls a play in the huddle during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE

The Detroit Lions took a big step forward offensively in 2011 thanks to a healthy season by Matthew Stafford. The Lions maintained their confidence in his abilities through two injury-plagued seasons and Stafford proved them right with a record setting third year.

With an emerging superstar at quarterback and the game’s best wide receiver, where does the Lions offense rank overall?

Pro Football Weekly is conducting a tournament style poll to find the league’s best offense and the final rounds comes down to the Lions and Saints. The Lions defeated the Eagles and Packers to reach the finals while the Saints defeated the Giants and Patriots.

The Lions have obviously received a lot of support in the preceding rounds but if you want to join the party, head to the PFW youtube page to cast your vote for the Lions as the league’s best offense.

While there is plenty of blame to go around, this is your chance to lay it on what you believe is the primary culprit.

Feel free to explain or discuss “the blame game” with a comment.

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The first fourth of the 2011 season is in the books, and the Detroit Lions are one of only two unbeaten teams in the National Football League. The season is young, and it would be irrational to draw conclusions from this limited sample, yet there are some certainties to take away from the first four games.

Quarterback : A

Matthew Stafford has not been flawless, but has been as close as can be reasonably expected of a quarterback who has started just 17 games. Statistics are important, and it can be pointed out that Stafford is carrying a passer rating of 100.3, is averaging over 300 yards per game, and has 11 touchdowns to only three interceptions, but there are more important factors to consider. The Lions are undefeated, and have won in several different ways. In week one Detroit built a lead, and had to fight off a comeback to hold on for the victory. In week two they blew out the Kansas City Chiefs. In weeks three and four, the Lions fell behind by more than twenty points, and rallied in the second half to win. Regardless of the type of victory, or how bleak the outlook, Stafford remained poised, and showed true leadership, two of the most important characteristics of a great quarterback.

Runningback: D+

The runningback unit entered the season with tempered expectations following the season ending Achilles injury of rookie Mikell LeShoure. Maurice Morris, Jerome Harrison, and Keiland Williams have been largely unnoticed, which is no surprise. What is surprising is the ineffectiveness of Jahvid Best, both as a runner and receiver. After the first four games of last season, Best had made a name for himself as a play-maker, and on each and every play had the potential to break a big one. With Best now healthy, and the Lion offense at full strength, Best should be producing explosive plays each week. He has failed to do so thus far, which will become a major issue as the season wears on.

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