Detroit Lions: Running game not as doomed as previously thought
Without Kerryon Johnson it was thought that the Detroit Lions running game would falter. However, LeGarrette Blount filled in admirably on Thanksgiving.
The Detroit Lions lost running back Kerryon Johnson to a knee sprain for a couple of weeks last Sunday during their win over the Carolina Panthers. When Johnson went down everyone believed that the Lions running game would drastically take a turn for the worse.
But Lions running back LeGarrette Blount had other plans. On Thanksgiving day, against the NFL’s second-best rushing defense of the Chicago Bears, Blount carried the ball 19 times for a total of 88 yards (4.63 yards per carry), and two touchdowns.
After averaging less than two yards per carry the past four games, Blount surprised everyone on Thursday with his admittedly impressive performance. He ran with authority and anger running over Bears defenders on both impressive touchdown runs.
After watching Blount on Thursday I believe he can keep the running game going without a major drop off in production from that aspect of the offense. After running over Chicago’s second-ranked run defense there is reason to believe he can produce a respectable running game while Johnson is out.
The next two teams the Lions play are both in the bottom ten of the league in defending the run; the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals. The Rams are 23rd in the league allowing just under 120 yards per game on the ground and the Cardinals are 29th in the league allowing over 140 yards per game on the ground.
The RotoWire Staff on CBSSports.com wrote about Blount’s performance saying:
"“Blount was a bright spot for the Lions in the disappointing home loss… Blount’s 4.6 yards per carry was a welcome sight and evoked memories of some of his performances in seasons past.”"
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Obviously, injured running back Kerryon Johnson is the undoubtedly better back of the two. But perhaps while he is out injured, Blount can fill in and perform well enough to keep defenses honest and even provide a positive impact for the offense.