Ben Johnson explains why Hendon Hooker doesn't throw the ball more

The Detroit Lions have won three games by at least 38 points this season, matching the most wins by at least that margin in a seaon in NFL history. It also means backup quarterback Hendon Hooker has played three games, as opportunities have easily come to get him reps he needs.

Hooker has played 33 snaps in the blowout wins over the Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars, completing six of his nine pass attempts for 62 yards. Fans who have wanted to see the young quarterback air it out in those situations, out of wanting to see him unleashed more than anything else, have been left disappointed.

Some outsiders have taken issue with what the Lions have done in those blowout wins, but we know how they feel about that. The approach has been fine and easily explained, with starters pulled from all three of the aforementioned blowouts early in the fourth quarter. It seems to be, in some sense, a "can't handle the Lions are good" issue.

Ben Johnson explains approach when Hendon Hooker has gotten into games

On Thursday, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was asked about Hooker being able to get into games lately with a tentacle about him not getting a lot of chances to throw the ball.

"I think it’s invaluable for him, going out there, you’ve got the lights shining on you, you’ve got people looking at you, it’s not practice setting,” Johnson said. “Now we’re at a spot where he’s been able to get a few in games this year, and the challenge for me is I do want to get him some passes but also don’t want to be disrespectful to the opponent as well, so it’s kind of a balancing act when it comes to that.”

Hooker has only had one noticeably downfield pass when he's gotten into games, a 21-yarder to Kalif Raymond in Week 11 against the Jaguars. Otherwise it's been checkdowns and handoffs, with the Lions looking to salt away the clock and not completely embarrass an opponent.

As Dan Campbell noted this week, the Lions having to figure out how to handle blowout wins is a good problem to have. Despite outside noise they are actively trying to embarrass opponents, it's simply not the case and no less an authority then the guy calling the offensive plays has confirmed it.