Detroit Lions: Mixed reviews for the offensive line in week 1

There is only one starter remaining on the Detroit Lions offensive line from their 2016 week one roster. Here is a look at how the team’s new look line performed in week one.

Travis Swanson still holds down the middle of the Detroit Lions‘ offense, but all four of his counterparts have left the squad or suffered injury. The Lions offense as a whole had both good and bad moments, and the offensive line was no exception. The Lions averaged only 3.0 yards per carry.

I will begin with Swanson, even re-watching just the highlight reel, the offense’s best plays were a mess on the line. Where Swanson shows most prominently is the Theo Riddick touchdown. Swanson is beaten cleanly by his man from the moment the ball is snapped.

It is only the pocket presence of Matthew Stafford that prevents an easy sack on the play. Swanson backs directly in to Stafford’s launch point. Stafford fakes right, then moves left, bringing the defender back to Swanson and buying time to complete a dump off pass to Riddick, who makes a spectacular play to get to the end zone.

This play typified Swanson’s day, he was the lowest rated player on the Lions offensive line by Pro Football Focus. Whether running or passing, one of the most common sights of the day was Swanson being pushed into the backfield. On zone stretch plays, he retreated so far back that he prevented the running back from getting to their rushing lane. The Lions may need to resort to pitches rather than hand-offs to get the back to the outside faster.