The Detroit Lions have every reason to be feeling great about an offense that just engineered a 44-30 win over a desperate Dallas Cowboys roster. While injury concerns remain, it seems that at least one question has been answered with Miles Frazier stepping in at left guard and playing far better than expected. This was noted by head coach Dan Campbell, who touched on why the team left Frazier in when initially planning to limit his snaps in favor of starting Trystan Colon.
The comment comes via Detroit News' Nolan Bianchi, quoting Campbell: "[Frazier] earned the right to keep going." This is a telling take and should be a clear concern to Kayode Awosika, who had been Detroit's past answer to the injury woes on the line. Awosika missed the Week 14 contest with a foot injury that has now opened the door for a change at the position. Colon was bad enough to be benched and open the door for Frazier to seize the starting job heading into Week 15.
It isn't just the praise from Campbell that opens the door to a starter change, but the fact that Awosika has struggled at times this season. This is evidenced by a 51.5 PFF pass blocking grade that ranks firmly near the bottom of the league. The stage is clearly set for Frazier to come in and steal the starting job away from the struggling backup.
Lions Might Have Found Surprise Starter After Miles Frazier Impresses in Week 14
As the Lions remain on the outside looking in of the playoff picture, it makes sense for this to be an open competition. There isn't any reason for loyalty right now if the franchise believes another piece improves their chance to win. For Frazier, it is an incredible opportunity for a player drafted 171st overall in this past year's draft.
And while he needs to get the penalties in check, his bruising run-blocking was a welcome sight for Lions fans who have been watching their interior line struggle to generate any push for weeks. Frazier was an absolute bruiser out there.
Making such a positive impact as a late-round rookie only improves the chances that Frazier is going to stick in the lineup. It simply fits the attitude of Campbell's gritty underdog Lions that spent most of the coach's tenure surprising other teams.
For Awosika, it is an undeniable setback, but it isn't as if the team is going to move in another direction completely. The foot injury isn't expected to keep the guard sidelined long term, and depth is still needed at the position. There is also the fact that Frazier remains an unproven rookie who is just now going to offer viable tape to other franchises.
Whether or not this high level of play can continue is up for debate heading into Week 15. Regardless, the rookie has earned a shot and deserves a chance at the starting role as the franchise continues to shuffle what has been a banged-up offensive line. One that has now gotten a surprise boost from a rookie who perhaps could prove to be a missing piece.