Detroit Lions: LeGarrette Blount revitalizes red zone efficiency
Detroit Lions running back LeGarrette Blount proved efficient in the red zone after punching it for two touchdowns versus the Green Bay Packers.
The Detroit Lions have had issues in the red zone, to say the least. But something happened on Sunday. Whether it was execution or playcalling or good luck, Lions running back LeGarrette Blount powered his way into the end zone, not once, but twice on goalline handoffs.
Making it into the end zone after pushing the ball down the field and into the red zone isn’t something that’s come easy for the Honolulu blue this season. In fact, they were dead last in the NFL after three weeks of the season.
That’s not a rate Lions fans are used to seeing. Back in the days of Megatron, wide receiver Calvin Johnson would win jump balls regularly; that is when he was not being blatantly double teamed at the line of scrimmage. But in 2018, and without the big name receiver, the team was still trying to crack the code to the red zone vault.
Here’s what Justin Rogers of The Detroit News had to say about the Lions’ red zone woes.
"“Once the Lions work their way inside the 20-yard line, the operation has been breaking down. After three games, the team is failing to get into the end zone at the worst rate in the NFL, a dreadful 30 percent.”"
It appears Bount had the combination this past week. The ferocious, relentless running back powered through the middle of the defense for two one-yard touchdown runs in the first quarter. Then, much like in basketball, once it’s been done, others become more confident it can be done by them as well.
The Lions would go on to score two more touchdowns from within the 10-yard line. Quarterback Matthew Stafford hit receiver Marvin Jones on an eight-yard strike in the second quarter and then found receiver Kenny Golladay for a five-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory.
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LeGarrette Blount broke down the red zone wall and the rest of the Detroit Lions followed through. The team’s red zone efficiency was great for this one game. Next, the team needs to carry it over the next game and every game that follows. But the Lions certainly needed to have some success so close to the goal line. The confidence the follows can play a big factor in the coming weeks.