The Detroit Lions are doing a good job finding a way to win. Still, things are far from perfect in spite of their NFC-leading 8-1 record. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson isn't satisfied with what he has seen from his group.
The last three weeks, aided by defense and special teams, the Lions have scored 102 points. In spite of that, the offense has not been consistent enough for Johnson's liking. The Lions struggled through the first half of their Week 10 win over the Houston Texans before surging late, and that was merely more of the same from where the offensive coordinator sits.
"In general I would say not just that game, the last three weeks there are things we haven't been consistent enough with going back to the Tennessee game. I know we scored (52) points, but that was more gifted to us I feel than us pulling our own weight. Same thing with Green Bay. We played half a game really well and we didn't finish the second half the way we're capable of. Then certainly last week, we didn't start the game like we wanted. So, we're still fighting to play 60 minutes of consistent football like we're capable of. We've shown flashes that we can be a dominant unit when we're all executing at a high level. We believe in what we're doing, but we just need to put it together again. That's all."
The challenge now? Get right against a struggling Jacksonville Jaguars' team in Week 11.
Ben Johnson: Detroit Lions' offense must step up to match defense, special teams
With this in mind, Johnson has a unique challenge for the offense. Step up and carry their third of the equation.
"I say this all the time. Year13, (this is the) best defense I've ever been around. It is a comforting thought knowing that we're putting them in some tough spots at times and they're just powering through. They don't blink an eye. Turnover, poor field position, three-and-out by us, they go out there and they just get us the ball back right away. So it's a very comforting thought. The challenge for us as an offense right now is to pull our weight, because we feel like those two other units are doing it on their side of the ball right now."
It's shocking to think that Detroit's offense, ranked sixth in the NFL in total yardage and second in scoring, would need to improve, but Johnson isn't satisfied.