ANSWER: Joique Bell
From 2012 through 2015, Bell seemed to always be on the verge of getting cut, but always called into action for long stretches of the season. Every time the top back went down with an injury or was ineffective (far too often), in comes Joique Bell.
The free agent signing of Reggie Bush made a splash in the 2013 off-season. The Bush/Bell combo that year formed the best rushing duo the Lions have had for quite some time. Right up there with “Touchdown Tommy” Vardell riding Barry’s coattails to 12 rushing touchdowns in two seasons. Unfortunately, their effectiveness quickly waned, and Bush was out of Detroit.
Jahvid Best, in my mind, is a pretty big ‘what-if’ story out of the backfield. Used both as a runner and a receiving option, Best began his second season in 2011 with several electrifying plays. Most memorable is the speedster finding an open hole up the middle and completely running away from Chicago’s secondary for an 88-yard score on Monday Night. The very next week, he got a concussion against the 49ers and never again appeared in an NFL game. As a silver lining for Best, he went on to compete in the 2016 Olympics in the 100 meter dash.
Ameer Abdullah was yet another back who showed promise as rookie, with 597 yards in 2015. Injuries ended his 2016 season almost immediately, and he was largely ineffective last year. Early 2018 is probably his last chance to get meaningful carries as a Lion.
This leaves old faithful, Joique Bell, as the leading Lions rusher of the decade. The undrafted back out of Wayne State rushed for 2,235 yards in Detroit, with a career-best 860 in 2014.
Question #2. Since the 2010 season, which division rival do the Lions have the best W-L record against?
(a) Green Bay Packers
(b) Minnesota Vikings
(c) Chicago Bears