Detroit Lions: The small stats that could make a big difference this season

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 28: Trey Flowers #90 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a second half sack with Tavon Wilson #32 while playing the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on November 28, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Chicago won the game 24-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Small Stat #3: Games played for Kerryon Johnson

Target number: 13 games

Why 13?: Clearly, playing sixteen plus at least another two in the postseason is ideal, but I’ll hedge. Considering that Johnson hasn’t been able to get close to that so far in his short career, I’ll take just thirteen for now.

Despite the injuries (and Jahvid Best parallels that I can’t disagree with), Kerryon brings excitement to the run game, plenty of speed and ability to find gaps between the tackles, and can be used as an every down back due to solid receiving skills.

The injury history is concerning, but there’s still hope considering that he managed to play twelve games in each of three seasons at Auburn.

Trickle Down Effect: It’s been 21 years since it’s happened, but I have to smile considering the Alabama-Auburn rushing attack of Bo Scarbrough and Kerryon Johnson even for 80 percent of the season.

That combo would be enough to finally put the Lions’ ground game back in the top half of the league again, wouldn’t it?

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