Detroit Lions: Zach Zenner boosts offense to victory
The Detroit Lions got a big boost from running back Zach Zenner when they needed it the most to close out a victory against the Arizona Cardinals.
With a seven-point lead and roughly eight minutes remaining in the game, the Detroit Lions turned to running back Zach Zenner. He responded by gaining every yard on the ground during a 42-yard touchdown drive that chewed up four minutes of clock. The 1-yard touchdown run was the dagger for victory in the desert against the Arizona Cardinals.
The drive was impressive for Zenner, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at his stats for the entire game. He gained only 12 yards outside of his touchdown drive and totaled 54 yards on 12 carries.
On a day where points were at a premium and the Lions passing attack was struggling, it was just what the doctor ordered.
It appears to be a clear case of going with the hot hand. When asked if he’d been told he was going to be taking over for the drive, according to Mike O’Hara’s column, he answered, “No.”
"“They just kept me out there. I kept running the ball. I love running the ball, and today was no different.”"
Zenner seems to have rekindled some of the magic he had during the end of the 2016 season. He had similar stat lines versus the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers when he posted 67 and 69 yards, respectively. He also had three touchdowns combined in those two contests.
Should the Lions consider resting rookie running back Kerryon Johnson for the final three games of a season where the playoffs are out of reach, Zenner could prove extremely valuable. With comparable skills to running back LeGarrette Blount and better between-the-tackles ability than running back Theo Riddick, Zenner provides a solid option in the backfield.
The bright spot of this offense has changed from the passing game to the running game. Before Johnson’s injury, he showed flashes of what the Lions hope is the future. While he’s on the sidelines, Zenner took the reigns when given the chance and succeeded.
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If head coach Matt Patricia continues to go with the hot hand, Zenner could be in line for more carries and more opportunities to succeed. The good news for Lions fans is that there are four solid, capable running backs on the roster. Time will tell if that includes more of Zenner in the coming weeks.