The Detroit Lions had one of the best passing offenses in the NFL last season. Will the Motor City take things to another level in 2018?
With quarterback Matthew Stafford under center, the Detroit Lions have experienced the most consistent success in the Motor City in decades. And at times, it’s been an all-out air raid for the Lions as a result. And 2017 was no different.
Possessing the NFL’s worst rushing attack, the bulk of the Lions’ offense was reliant on the throwing arm of Stafford and performances by his terrific wide receiver corps. Despite the lack of run support, Detroit was able to finish last season with a 9-7 winning record behind a passing offense that finished sixth in the league averaging 261 net passing yards a game.
With a new head coach in Matt Patricia at the helm, and the fact he opted to retain offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, the Lions’ passing offense figures to be one of the NFL’s best once again. And that’s due in no small part to the chemistry being built between Stafford and his talented trio of receivers.
"“Detroit has one of the best one-two punches at the wide receiver position in contested catch dominator Marvin Jones and slot maven Golden Tate,” wrote Matt Harmon of NFL.com. “Each of them crossed 1,000 yards in 2017 and are on the books for 2018. Behind them, the Lions have a potential gem in 2017 rookie Kenny Golladay. The Northern Illinois product stands 6-foot-4 and showed vertical ability in his first season by averaging 17 yards per reception.”"
But w are the chances the Lions actually become the best passing offense in the league in 2018? There actually pretty good. Stafford and Marvin Jones have a budding on-field relationship we’ve seen flourish the past two years. Golden Tate continues to be Matthew’s security blanket and most consistent performer. And Kenny Golladay is budding playmaker and deep threat that perfectly compliments this receiver corps.
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But the missing piece to make the Detroit Lions’ passing attack tops in the NFL could be the addition of a consistent running game. If the Lions are able to add a viable rushing threat this offseason to keep opposing defenses honest, that would only open up more opportunities in Detroit’s passing game.