Detroit Lions solve rushing conundrum in prime time
The Detroit Lions solved an issue that has been plaguing the team since 2013 as a legitimate rushing game emerged on Sunday night.
The Detroit Lions hadn’t fielded a running back amassing more than 100 yards rushing in a game in roughly five years. A few players came close in that time frame, but none crossed the century mark. Today, the streak of rushing futility is over.
Rookie running back Kerryon Johnson has played the role of savior. He cut and juked his way through the New England Patriots defense all night. He brings a skill set that Lions coaches and fans, alike, have been waiting to see on the field. He unleashed everything as he piled up 101 rushing yards. Lions’ royalty even took notice, with Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders sending Johnson a congratulatory tweet.
Johnson’s success on the ground, however, was a full team effort. The mere presence of veteran running back LeGarrette Blount has had a huge impact. He’s a punishing, grinding runner that’s not afraid of contact yet somewhat surprisingly elusive. He comes in the game and changes the tone enough to keep defenses honest.
Another aspect of the Detroit Lions’ rushing success sits squarely on the offensive line. By all accounts, they were bullying the Patriots defenders in the trenches to create holes and running lanes. Rookie lineman Frank Ragnow had a great bounce-back performance after a sluggish outing in Week 2, and his improvement was felt in a big way.
A bigger point can be made about the Lions offense. Finally, after years of relying on the strong arm of quarterback Matthew Stafford, this team has some balance. And the playcalling maximized that balance to control the ball for the majority of the game.
It was exciting and refreshing to see the offense line up on first down and run for more than one or two yards repeatedly. After establishing the ground game early, it was even better to see the team line up in a strong rushing formation only to have Stafford drop back and successfully pass the ball.
The ground game eating up chunks of yardage essentially opened up the playbook. Rushing and passing formations were no longer obvious to the fans sitting at home on the couch, let alone being obvious to the defenders on the field. It became a guessing game played in the Lions favor.
dark. Next. Who is the most versatile running back in Lions' history?
As the season continues and the ground game continues to improve, fans might have to get used to a different style of football in Detroit. And it’s the best improvement they could have asked for. A more active and respected ground game. Less relying on a pass-happy plan of attack. And, most notably, an increasingly balanced and successful offense.