The Detroit Lions are licking their wounds after Thursday’s 41-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but they may see the light at the end of the tunnel with the New York Jets set to visit Ford Field next week. The Jets scored an opening week win, but since it was against the lowly Tennessee Titans, it would be easy for Lions fans to see the matchup as a much-needed win.
But before Lions fans mark next week with a big, black, W, their offensive line may have other ideas. After allowing Jared Goff to be pressured on 38.6 percent of his dropbacks and get sacked four times against the Bills, the offensive line problems are becoming an even bigger issue as the underrated front seven of Aaron Glenn’s defense comes to town.
The Lions offensive line could ruin their potential “get right” game against the Jets
While the Jets’ win came against a Titans team that is in a full rebuild, Glenn had to have loved what he saw from his pass rush in Week 1.
Ten different players recorded a pressure in the victory and the effort was led by middle linebacker Jamien Sherwood (five pressures), edge rusher Kingsley Engabare (five pressures, one sack) and Will McDonald IV (five pressures, one sack), who combined for 15 pressures and two sacks according to Pro Football Focus. David Bailey, who was the second overall pick in April’s draft also had a stellar debut, racking up four pressures and a sack on 28 pass-rushing snaps.
Those numbers could also be built upon on Sunday against a Green Bay Packers’ offensive line that was blitzed to death by Brian Flores and the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1. And by the time the Jets get to Detroit, they could run into an offensive line that has already been bitten by the injury bug.
Cade Mays broke his wrist during training camp and won’t play until October. Matters were made worse when Christian Mahogany and first-round pick Blake Miller were injured in the Week 1 victory over the New Orleans Saints and both players were unable to play against Buffalo.
READ MORE: What Tyler Shough exploited in Week 1 that the Lions can't fix (yet)
While Penei Sewell and Tate Ratledge held their own at left tackle and right guard, the rest of the offensive line had issues on Thursday night. Larry Borom had a particularly tough time filling in for Miller, allowing seven pressures and two sacks on 44 pass-blocking snaps and Barch had similar problems, allowing four pressures per PFF.
As a whole, no starting offensive lineman escaped Highmark Stadium without multiple pressures allowed and it gives the Lions a question of how they fix the problem with New York’s improved pass rush coming to town.
The Jets could feast on the Lions if their offensive line can’t get healthy
After allowing Goff to be sacked four times in Thursday’s loss, the Lions have a lot to figure out. But the good news is that they should be able to add reinforcements.
While Miller missed Week 2, he didn’t sound like that the injury was a long-term issue and he could return at right tackle for the game against the Jets. Mahogany is also on the mend and could return next week, and if both players return, it could give the Lions a chance to build chemistry with 10 days to prepare for next week’s game.
If the Lions can return to health, they could have a chance of neutralizing the Jets’ front. That could buy Goff time to target big plays downfield, which is something he didn’t have on Thursday night. But if the Lions are without another starter or two, it could allow the Jets to feast again and make what should be a rebound game into a difficult matchup in Week 3.
Add us as a preferred source on Google