The Detroit Lions need to control the ground if they want to win out and have a shot at the playoffs.
The last three years, the Detroit Lions have gone as their offensive line and defensive line will allow. When they struggle to rush the passer and stop the run, they don’t win many games. Offensively, the same is true when it comes to blocking up front.
For the first time since 2022, the Lions find themselves in a desperate spot. They’re not likely to make the playoffs if they don’t win out and also receive some help in front of them. Much like that team, it’s clear this squad will sink or swim based on the trenches over the final three weeks.
Defensively, Detroit’s biggest problem in Week 15 started from an inability to stop the run. They allowed 159 rushing yards defensively, and were pushed around in the trenches. Dan Campbell acknowledged that this was arguably the biggest issue that doomed them in defeat
“We said going into that game, on both sides of the ball, it was ground supremacy. We did not own the ground, and that makes it extremely difficult defensively to defend those guys if you cannot corral or limit their run game. They did a number of things on the runs, the turbo motions, the inserts with the tight ends. They force your corners to be supportive on the inside, just a couple of tricky things. Now your outside linebacker has to be the one who sets it. Just all these little things that we’ve got to be much crisper on. We’re going to get it from Pittsburgh. That’s what they do. So that got us a little bit.”
This season, Detroit has gone 6-1 in games in which they have allowed under 100 yards rushing on defense. Last season, they were one of the best defenses in the NFL at stopping the run. This year, they have been far more inconsistent, allowing over 100 yards in six of their games. Starting now, the Lions’ defense must find answers up front.
More consistent run game also key to making Detroit’s offense more lethal
While the Lions offense continue to put up points, the fact is, they aren’t going to truthfully control games unless they can control the ground effectively. While they put up 396 yards and 34 points against the Rams, they only rushed for 70 total yards.
A lack of a run game prevented the Lions from controlling the clock and keeping a potent Los Angeles offense off the field. With a better ground game, Detroit could have limited possessions, which could have perhaps helped them grind out a shootout win.
Campbell also believes that a better run game could help Detroit in terms of a passing game, allowing them more time in the pocket and cutting down on problems with regards to protection.
“Like I say, offensively, we just got to get our run game going. We got to find a run game here and reduce the stress in some of the pass game protection stuff.”
This season, 100 yards is also the magic number for Detroit on the ground offensively. In games where Detroit rushes above that number, they are 8-0, often times winning in blowout fashion. When the Lions rush for less than 100 yards, they are 0-6, with their closest call coming against the Kansas City Chiefs when they rushed for 98 yards and lost 31-17.
When either Jahmyr Gibbs or David Montgomery have solid games, the Lions are immediately likely to benefit. If both of them get going, the Lions can look like a juggernaut no matter what the defense is doing.
Against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears, the Lions have to establish the run successfully and find a way to shut it down defensively. If they are able to do that, the numbers say they have a great chance to hold up their end of the bargain and win out.
