The Detroit Lions have shown potential on offense this season, with impressive yardage and numerous red zone opportunities. However, despite their ability to march down the field, they are struggling mightily to convert these opportunities into touchdowns. As evidenced in their recent game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Lions' red zone efficiency has been dismal, a situation that the team is desperate to rectify.
Criticism has been levied at several aspects of their red zone performance. The Lions went just 1-for-7 in their red zone trips against the Buccaneers, a statistic that is alarming for a team with playoff aspirations. Christian Booher from Sports Illustrated isn't shy about pointing fingers: "I think that (the play-calling) lacked a little creativity down in the red area and I just think they left so much meat on the bone." Booher is clear on the impact of this inefficiency, noting, "The end result was what it was as a result. You took three a couple times where you would’ve loved to have had seven."
This issue is highlighted by the fact that Lions quarterback Jared Goff has been prolific yet unproductive inside the 20-yard line. Russell Brown from USA Today points out that Goff has thrown a league-high 18 red zone passes, completing 11 of them, without securing a single touchdown. While the Lions have managed to score some touchdowns on the ground, with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combining for three red zone TDs, their overall performance is far below expectations.
In their game against the Buccaneers, factors contributing to their poor red zone performance were clearly outlined. Jeremy Reisman from Pride Of Detroit notes the disheartening result: "Their six red-zone drives without a TD were the club’s most in one game in 43 years." Issues include shotgun formations, ineffective play-calling, and questionable decision-making by Goff at critical moments. It’s evident that the area of major concern isn’t just the quarterback but also the stagnation and repetition in their strategies.
Insightful analysis from Morgan Cannon of Pride Of Detroit dissects specific plays where these failures were glaring. On a third-and-goal from the Tampa 3-yard line, Goff’s quick decision to throw to Jameson Williams, despite a double cover situation, resulted in a missed opportunity. Similarly, confusion and pressure breakdowns on a second-and-16 in the fourth quarter lead to unnecessary quarterback hits and poorly executed plays.
To turn this around, a multifaceted approach is needed. Firstly, the utilization of more diverse play designs and better in-game adjustments from offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is crucial. Secondly, ensuring Goff has better protection and clearer reads will likely yield better results. Justin Rogers from Detroit Football Network suggests that re-integrating their formidable run game and getting their key players like tight end Sam LaPorta more involved could sway the red zone statistics positively.
Dan Campbell’s team has the talent and the coaching acumen to fix these issues. With the likes of Goff, Montgomery, Gibbs, and St. Brown at their disposal, there’s little reason they should continue to struggle as they have. As the Lions prepare for their upcoming games, re-establishing their red zone prowess will be pivotal to achieving their goals this season.
What other sites are saying about this topic
NFL Week 3 power rankings: How far should Lions fall after Bucs loss? from Jeremy Reisman, Pride Of Detroit
How Much Is Ben Johnson to Blame for Lions' Woes? from Sports Illustrated
Breaking down the Lions red zone offensive woes vs. the Buccaneers from Russell Brown, USA Today
Lions film breakdown: Why Detroit struggled in the red zone vs. Bucs from Morgan Cannon, Pride Of Detroit
Lions film review: Diagnosing red zone woes and where is Sam LaPorta? from Justin Rogers, Detroit Football Network