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How the Detroit Lions can have a top 10 offense in 2018

By Steven Mullenax

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions sits on the bench during the final minutes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Ford Field on October 29, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Pittsburgh defeated Detroit 20- 15. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions sits on the bench during the final minutes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Ford Field on October 29, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Pittsburgh defeated Detroit 20- 15. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Lions have taken steps to improve their offense in 2018. But what will it take to them one of the best in the NFL? Let’s discuss.

Last season, the Detroit Lions fielded the sixth best passing offense in the NFL. With quarterback Matthew Stafford under center, and a trio of talented receivers in Golden Tate, Marvin Jones Jr. and Kenny Golladay, the Motor City averaged 261 yards per game and scored 29 touchdowns through the air in 2017.

But like the other end of a seesaw, the Lions rushing game was atrocious last season. Limping in dead last in the league, Detroit’s ground game was near non-exist, averaging a lowly 76.3 rushing yards per contest.

In order to try and better balance the offense in Detroit, the Lions signed veteran running back LeGarrette Blount in free agency this offseason. They also used their first and second round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft in order to address their rushing needs, selecting Arkansas center Frank Ragnow and Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson respectively.

Ragnow figures to complete the reconstruction of the Lions’ offensive line, which started two years ago with the use of a first round pick on left tackle Taylor Decker. And last offseason, Detroit signed pricey veterans in right guard T.J. Lang and right tackle Rick Wagner via free agency.

The additions of both Blount and Johnson represent a new dedication to a hard-nosed rushing philosophy spearheaded by new head coach Matt Patricia. The former New England Patroits coordinator will likely take a page out of Bill Belichick’s book by featuring a heavy rotation of running backs in Detroit this season.

It’s clear the Lions need a better rushing attack in order to propel themselves to a top ten offense in 2018. And it appears Detroit has taken major steps to get much closer to achieving that goal.

Next: The Detroit Lions All-Time Offensive Team

Last year, the Detroit Lions averaged 3.4 rushing yards per carry. If Detroit averaged an additional yard per carry (4.4) in 2017, then they would have had the seventh best rushing attack in the NFL. Coincidentally, Blount actually averaged 4.4 yards per carry last season, helping lead the Philadelphia Eagles to their first Super Bowl championship in franchise history over Patricia’s Patriots.

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