Grading the Detroit Lions first five weeks: Better than last year?

Detroit Lions run game

The entire Jim Caldwell era, the former head coach, was marked by a lack of running the football. If Caldwell was trying to help Matthew Stafford become a better quarterback, the fact that there are proven ways to take pressure off of a quarterback eluded him. His philosophy seemed to be to give him another target and talk about balancing the offense.

The Lions were last or near last (best production was 28th) in rushing all four years of Caldwell’s tenure. Many writers noted the rhetoric from general manager Bob Quinn about getting tougher and addressing the run game. It’s the standard speech of seemingly every offseason.

The last two offseasons, however, Quinn has signed multiple linemen, running back LeGarrette Blount, drafted center-guard Frank Ragnow in the first round, and drafted runner Kerryon Johnson to change the offense. Quinn even drafted a fullback! Yes, it’s that serious.

Simple question, “Is it working?” Through five games, we’d have to say, yes. The Lions sit at 21st in rushing, averaging 97.2 yards per contest; previously, the Lions were last with a 76.3 average, according to the NFL’s website. More importantly, the Lions have improved their average per carry, from a league-low 3.4 to a much healthier 4.3 ypc, yards per carry.

The Lions still managed to be the 7th best scoring offense in 2017, but the pressure was all on the passing game. Overall, the offense has been more balanced, although not higher ranked thus far.

What gives the Lions hope for the rest of the year, and beyond, is the play of the team around Matthew Stafford.

Grade: B, with room to improve as Ragnow, Johnson, and other players get more experienced.