Lions offense still ahead of defense, but not like we’re used to

Flyin’ Lions grounded?

This week when the Lions line up in OTA’s they will have a new starting quarterback for the first time in over a dozen years. Jared Goff who was acquired as part of the Matthew Stafford trade is Detroit’s new signal-caller.

Goff was one of the contributing pieces that helped lead the Rams to Super Bowl LIII. Goff was still at his most productive at that point before his game started to tail off.

Over the course of the last couple of seasons, since the Rams danced their way to the Super Bowl, Goff’s game has deteriorated. The two factors that contributed the most to this decline were inconsistency on the offensive line and in the ground game.

However, Goff will have a chance to relive the good old days once again in Detroit. The addition of Penei Sewell to a young talented offensive line gives the Lions the opportunity to have one of the better lines in the NFL this season.

A line that can open holes for the likes of talented young D’Andre Swift, newcomer Jamaal Williams, and rookie Jermar Jefferson giving the Lions the productive ground game that Goff enjoyed when he was at his best in Los Angeles.

However, there are more questions regarding the passing game. Tight-end T.J. Hockenson is quickly becoming one of the best in the game, but almost all of the Lions receivers have a history of inconsistency, injury, or no experience.

So while the young talented offensive line may be able to keep Goff on his feet, the question is; what the results will be?

If the Lions’ new mixed bag of receivers can stay healthy and consistent and Goff can avoid the turnovers, then they could be productive. However, at this point, until proven otherwise, the strength of Dan Campbell’s offense will be in the ground game.

Yet even with a possible handicap in the passing game, the offense is still Detroit’s strength. Even if that strength is completely different from what we’ve become used to in the past with Matthew Stafford’s flyin’ Lions.

How competitive the Lions will be this fall will actually be determined more by the play of the defense, but at this time, again until proven otherwise, the offense is still the Honolulu Blue and Silver’s strength. But it is definitely a different strength than what we have seen in the past.