The bye week is already in the rearview mirror for the Detroit Lions, and with a 3-2 record, they had more than one area to work on. As pointed out by ESPN's Eric Woodyard, the Lions have a glaring issue on offense: third down conversions. Despite being tied with the Buffalo Bills for the most points per game (32.8), Detroit is 22nd in the NFL when it comes to third-down conversions (37.3%).
In addition to third downs, first quarters have not been friendly to the Lions this season, as they have crossed the goal line in an opening quarter just once. Out of six total teams with one or zero touchdowns scored in first quarters, the Lions are one of three with a winning record. The other two are the Cleveland Browns (4-2) and the Minnesota Vikings (5-0), and the latter is set to visit Detroit on Nov. 1.
Let's dive into how the Lions' third-down struggles effect them during games, specifically during the first quarter.
Improving on third downs could turn the Lions' offense into a juggernaut
Per NextGen Stats, the Lions are ranked in the top ten in yards per play on first down (T-3rd, 6.5 yards), second down (9th, 5.5 yards) and fourth down (2nd, 12.2 yards). When it comes to third down, Detroit is tied for fourth-worst in the NFL with 4.0 yards per play. On third downs in the first quarter, the Lions rank last in the league with 0.6 yards per play. The only other team averaging less than a yard is the Carolina Panthers (0.9).
The Lions aren't oblivious to their slow starts, and they have been trying to address it for at least a few weeks now, but it hasn't materialized yet. Prior to the bye week, Detroit put up 45 points on the Arizona Cardinals, but zero of them came in the first quarter. Instead, the Lions began the game with three straight 3-and-outs.
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Out of 11 first quarter drives this season, the Lions have nine punts, including six 3-and-outs. The only points they've scored in an opening quarter came with a touchdown in week one and a field goal against the Panthers in week four. With the Green Bay Packers next on the docket (Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET), let's compare how their defense fares in the first quarter and on third downs.
Can the Lions start fast against the Packers in week 7?
Unfortunately for the Lions, it doesn't seem likely. Teams are averaging just 52.7 yards in first quarters against the Packers, which is second-best in the league behind the Jacksonville Jaguars (48.8), per NGS. However, Green Bay is slightly more vulnerable against the run in the first quarter, so Jahmyr Gibbs could find some success early on.
They might be tough in the opening frame, but the Packers are one of the worst defenses in the league on third downs, giving up 82.3 yards per game in such situations (NGS). The Lions should be able to conquer third down more than usual against Green Bay. It's also Detroit's first divisional matchup of the season, with the Vikings around the corner in week eight.
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