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<\/p>\nIn a possible Super Bowl matchup, the Lions offensive line getting the running game to open up could determine if they can take down the Bills as Detroit tries to get one game closer to the one-seed.<\/p>\n
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If you want a taste of what it could be like for the Detroit Lions to play in the Super Bowl, then you won\u2019t want to miss the game this week. The Buffalo Bills are coming to town and they are one of the top teams in the AFC. Despite losing to the Los Angeles Rams last week, they have the MVP front runner in quarterback Josh Allen.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately for the Bills, he doesn\u2019t play defense, as the run defense for the Bills is going to need help this week. The Lions have the best running duo in the NFL, and with the Bills struggling to stop the run this year, it is the most important matchup this week. The Lions are known to be a run-heavy team, which makes matters even worse for Buffalo. If the Lions are able to pound the rock and move the chains on Sunday afternoon, we could see Buffalo fans starting to question if this team really can do it all.<\/p>\n
In order for the Lions to run the ball efficiently, though, it starts with how the offensive line can do. The team has been without starting left tackle Taylor Decker for two weeks, so his status for this week will be important. The running backs can only do so much with what they are given, so if the Lions front five can be the people movers that Detroit believes they are, this game shifts in the Lions\u2019 favor.<\/p>\n
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When your identity on offense is to run the ball, you have to be good at two things: blocking and running. Simple and basic, yes, but the Lions aren\u2019t just good at these things, they\u2019re great. The offensive line is the best in the NFL with talent at each spot, led by right tackle Penei Sewell. When all five of these guys are out there, they can move mountains for their running backs.<\/p>\n
According to PFF, Detroit is tied for the third highest running blocking grade at 77.1. Sewell (90.9), center Frank Ragnow (90.3), and right guard Kevin Zeitler (88.7) have elite scores at run blocking. When it\u2019s time to run the ball, it\u2019s best to go to the right side of the line. That doesn\u2019t mean the left side is horrible though, Decker (70), and left guard Graham Glasgow (58) can help create space for either running back too, despite the worse grades.<\/p>\n
If Decker can\u2019t go, then tackle Dan Skipper will have to step in, and his run blocking grade (46.7) is a big step back for this team. It doesn\u2019t mean they won\u2019t still run the ball, it will just be a tougher ask in the end.<\/p>\n
Every team in the NFL has a weakness, and unfortunately for the Bills, it\u2019s their run defense. They are allowing 4.7 yards per carry, which is seventh-most in the NFL. Both Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combine for an average of 5.0 yards per carry.<\/p>\n
Buffalo has allowed the seventh-most 20+ yard runs (11) and are tied for the second-most 40+ yard runs allowed (three). So if you have an explosive run game, you can make big plays on the Bills run defense. Well, I got bad news for the Bills. While Montgomery only has had one 20+ yard run this season, Gibbs has had nine, and two that have gone over 40+ yards. The Lions are able to create explosive plays on the ground and with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson calling the shots, he will think of ways to make big plays for either back.<\/p>\n
According to PFF, the Bills have the fifth worst rushing defense with a 53.9 grade, and their best defenders are in the secondary, meaning the defensive line isn\u2019t able to hold up on their end. The Bill have only held opponents to under 100 rushing yards five times this season, and the Lions have yet to rush under 100 yards all season.<\/p>\n
Finally, the Bills can\u2019t seems to hold up when a good running back is going up against them. Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry ran for 199 yards and a touchdown, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor ran for 114 yards, and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey 53 yards on seven carries before he got hurt. The problem for Buffalo is they don\u2019t just play one good running back this week, they play two.<\/p>\n
Last season, Montgomery eclipsed 1,000 yards, but this year Gibbs has gotten there first. He is fourth in the NFL in yards at 1,016 and ninth in touchdowns with 10. Gibbs is averaging 5.7 yards per carry and has improved from last season. He has shown that he isn\u2019t just the speedy back everyone thinks he is, as he has had some solid runs in between the tackles and isn\u2019t afraid to get physical. It\u2019s no secret though that speed is the best part of his game because when he gets loose, he might not get caught.<\/p>\n
\nJAHMYR GIBBS TURNS ON THE JETS \ud83d\ude32<\/p>\n
Longest TD of his career \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n
(via @Lions<\/a>)pic.twitter.com\/2kvLh5CEtf<\/a><\/p>\n
— B\/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) October 27, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n