As the Detroit Lions just poured, and poured, and poured onto the Chicago Bears in Week 2, it was clear that two things had seen a major improvement between that contest and Week 1 for the NFC North powerhouse.
One, that offensive coordinator John Morton felt a bit freer in his play calling during the contest, which helped to get almost every receiver and running back involved in the rout. The average of 8.8 yards per play from the Lions - a franchise record - spoke to just how free Morton felt compared to Week 1, where the Green Bay Packers' defense was smothering.
Two, the Lions' offensive line was a lot cleaner against a weaker Bears pass rush, which is both something to take a grain of salt with and something to offer a compliment towards. One key stat shows just how much better the O-line was in Week 2 and, specifically, how much better Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany were after poor showings in Week 1.
Just one stat shows how much better IOL was in Week 2
Ratledge and Mahogany allowed a total of one pressure in Week 2, according to Lions team reporter Tim Twentyman.
"After allowing seven total pressures and three sacks between them Week 1 in Green Bay, Detroit's young guard tandem was terrific in pass pro Sunday against the Bears, allowing just one pressure between them and a single quarterback hit by Ratledge."
"'I think in particular Tate (Ratledge) and (Christian) Mahogany, as younger players, kind of were able to get last week out of the way and kind of settle in a little bit today,"' Goff said after the game Sunday. '"I thought Tate played great today. I haven't seen the tape, but at least in pass pro, it felt firm there. It felt firm, he felt strong, it felt like he was pushing downhill. It felt like he really settled in."'
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This is a major development considering just how important the IOL's strength is for Goff's ability to perform at a high level. We saw the direct result of their work in the pass rush in Week 2 with his five touchdowns and plenty of time to look downfield.
Settling in is exactly what it looked like both linemen did in this contest, and we can only hope they're using the confidence they got from this game to carry them into a tough battle against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3.