Detroit Lions struggle with running game early in the season
Heading into the season, there was a great deal of optimism concerning the running game of the Detroit Lions. As yet, however, there has not been much to celebrate.
Before the season started, the running game for the Detroit Lions was much discussed and much anticipated. It really seemed like this would be the year running could become a viable option, if not a cornerstone of the Lions’ offense. Now, three games into the season, it appears the opposite is closer to the truth.
The excellent folks at Football Outsiders calculate DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) as a fair measurement of a team’s attributes and status. They look at a combination of the relevant stats, but they take a more situational approach. Using their methods, the Lions currently rank 26th in DVOA for running offense. The passing game, which has been quite good, has carried the offense. To win more games, though, the Lions need to diversify their offense.
The Lions rushed for 116, 94, and 86 yards in their first three games of the year. Those 296 yards, while not the worst in the NFL (18th), are not helped when considering they are attempting the run quite a bit.
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As predicted, the team is attempting to run the ball more than years past, but they are not gaining much ground by doing so. With 88 carries, they are running at an awful rate of 3.4 yards per attempt. Furthermore, they have only converted one rushing touchdown. Now, this is one of the worst rates in the league.
Perhaps even more troubling is the lack of long, breakout plays which should occur naturally if the run game is working. J.D. McKissic did break free for a 44-yard run in Philadelphia, but otherwise, the long plays have mostly been contained. The aforementioned lone touchdown was a goal line punch from Kerryon Johnson against Philadelphia, the third week of the season.
It is not as if the Lions are facing off against true defensive powerhouses. The Lions’ first two opponents–the Cardinals and Chargers–rank 19th, 23rd, respectively, in DVOA for rush defense. The outlier, the Eagles, rank 4th; they allow the third-fewest yards for running backs in the league. Yet, strangely enough, the Lions had about as much success running the ball in this game than in either of the previous two.
The Lions have made personnel changes in the backfield. They released Theo Riddick in late July, quickly followed by C.J. Anderson after just two games. In replacement, they brought in McKissic and Paul Perkins from the waiver wire. What’s more, besides the odd miscue, the offensive line has largely performed well. It is only a matter of time before something comes together.
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The Detroit Lions will get a chance to put the ball on the ground a bit more this weekend when they host Kansas City. The Chiefs, it should be mentioned, have given up 413 yards on the ground, and they are currently last in the league in DVOA for rushing defense. If there were ever a time for the Lions run game to get going, this week would be it.