The Detroit Lions needed that bye week in the worst way. It helped them look back on the first month of the season, assess what wasn't working, and get some positive momentum after their Week 5 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Dan Campbell said he'd use the bye week to evaluate whether to make changes on defense. They will also likely get Cade Mays and Brian Branch on the field for the first time this season, not to mention an additional week to prepare for the divisional game with the Green Bay Packers.
This must've been a busy week for Coach Campbell and company, with no shortage of issues to address. Considering that, let's dive in and talk about three of the biggest questions this team must answer after the bye week.
3 big questions the Detroit Lions must answer before Week 7
Will someone else step up in the running game?
Jahmyr Gibbs has been one of the best running backs in the game this season, but he doesn't have to do all the heavy lifting. The Lions want to get a return on their investment, but that can only happen if he's healthy for a full season and for years to come.
Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing doesn't seem to trust Sione Vaki or Jacob Saylors, and Isiah Pacheco is still more than a month away. So, they either give someone a chance, or they'll have to make an addition.
What happens to Juice Scruggs?
Barring a surprise, Cade Mays will make his season debut in Week 7. He was one of the team's biggest offseason additions, so there's no doubt that he'll slide right back into his projected starting center spot. But where does that leave Juice Sruggs?
The former Houston Texans IOL has done an amazing job in Mays' absence, and he's earned the right to stay on the field. Maybe the Lions can move him to left guard and take Christian Mahogany's spot, at least for a week or two to test things out.
Is Ennis Rakestraw Jr. good enough?
The Lions stood pat as the Dallas Cowboys traded for Joey Porter Jr. There are other options, like Donte Jackson or Kristian Fulton, but they don't seem too inclined to make a move for a cornerback, maybe because of their trust in Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
He's been better than Rock Ya-Sin, but the bar was comically low. So, can they really trust him to be their season-long answer at their weakest position? How long a leash will they give him before making a move?
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