Should Adrian Peterson be the Detroit Lions workhorse?

The Detroit Lions have relied on Adrian Peterson to be the workhorse in the backfield. Should they consider using Johnson and Swift more?

Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia has spent the bye week searching for answers. After a 1-3 start to the season, there are plenty of questions to be answered.

The great teams are not only built on great players and great coaching but on consistency. They contend because they consistently execute their game plans and systems with efficiency. Occasionally they may get a little off-script, but because they have performed at a high level consistently, they know how to correct themselves when they need to the most.

It’s this ability to play like well-oiled machines, especially when the pressure is the greatest, that creates champions. Something the Motor City has lacked since Bobby Layne prowled Briggs Stadium back in the 1950s.

Unlike that decade of excellence, the Lions experienced back in yesteryear, today’s Motor City cats are just trying to become respectable. Trying to mount some form of consistency that will allow them to make a run at a playoff berth.

Considering the mandate that was given to general manager Bob Quinn as well as Matt Patricia for the Lions to be in the postseason hunt, I’m sure finding an answer to all that ails this team is at the forefront of their minds. Next Sunday they will head to Jacksonville for a game that is quite winnable for them. The question of this season is; will they be able to close it out?

The Lions have had double-digit leads in each game so far this year, despite inconsistent play. The problem has been keeping their opponents from coming back.

The defense deserves a great deal of credit for those blown leads, but the inability to consistently move the ball on offense, especially on the ground to control the clock and tempo of the game has been an issue as well. Something this franchise has seen many times since Barry Sanders retired in 1999.