After three losses, the Detroit Lions health has been the biggest factor but the Lions can’t wait to produce if they want a division title.
The Detroit Lions season has been up and down to say the least. The Leos sit at 3-4 and in third place in the Norse division. To date, the Lions have been plagued by the same big issue as last year, injuries. Let’s discuss the health and impact of several position groups that could shape this week’s matchup versus the Green Bay Packers.
Detroit is two and a half games behind the Minnesota Vikings for first place. Of course, the Lions have a win over the Vikings under their belt, already.
Last week I wrote about how getting back playmakers on offense brightened the outlook of beating the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Lions did get Golden Tate, their best wide receiver, back but did not record the win.
Woeful red zone execution and lack of running game in general stymied the offense. While the inability to stop the big plays of rookie wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster doomed the defense.
The rookie had 193 yards, including a 97 yard touchdown that sealed the game; this happened after a failed fourth down conversion inside the two yard line, when a field goal would have given the Lions the lead.
It is important to note these issues. They point to several things: the revolving door that we call the offensive line must get fixed immediately, the secondary and pass defense has been suspect all year, and our general health has limited the playmaking capabilities of the entire team.
Not to mention the poor execution has brought Jim Bob Cooter, offensive coordinator, and head coach, Jim Caldwell, under further scrutiny.