To no one's surprise, the Detroit Lions have one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL again this season. Detroit has rushed for over 100 yards in each of its last four games, and it even surpassed 200 rushing yards in Week 3. The tandem of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs continues to wreak havoc for opponents.
That said, offensive coordinator John Morton seems to be daring teams to stop the Lions' rushing attack. On Thursday, according to Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News, Morton said, "We're gonna pound it. 10-man box, it doesn't matter. We're gonna keep doing it until they stop it."
His comments, while bold, could be part of a bigger strategic plan aimed at creating opportunities elsewhere on the field. By making these statements publicly, Morton appears to be broadcasting the team’s intentions, effectively challenging defenses to react—and possibly overcommit—to stop the run.
Lions OC John Morton Playing Chess With Recent Comments
Morton's comments could be part of a calculated approach that should excite Lions fans. After last week's game, Dan Campbell discussed how Jameson Williams has contributed to the team through run blocking, although his receiving production is down. Campbell also noted that teams are giving Detroit a lot of two-high safety looks to limit Williams.
Morton daring teams to stack the box and stop the run would benefit the 24-year-old speedster. If teams load the box as Morton suggests, Williams will have more open space to exploit like he did last year. During the 2024 season, he broke out, catching 58 passes on 91 targets for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns.
That explosive third season alerted the NFL to what the former Alabama star was capable of. As a result, defenses have shifted their attention more in his direction. This has left Williams with 11 receptions on 21 targets for 223 yards and one touchdown through five games this season.
Opposing teams clearly don't want to deal with Williams' speed. However, that comes at the cost of selling out to stop the run. That is one of the reasons why Detroit's offense is so hard to stop. That delicate balance is what makes the Lions' offense so unpredictable.
Given their ability to beat a defense in a variety of ways, Morton's comments may not sway opponents to stack the box. If it does, though, Williams would be in store for a big game.