Despite a promising start to the 2024 season, Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson finds himself grappling with a few critical issues. While his offense moves the ball impressively, converting those yards into points has been a different story. The Lions have been exceptional in gaining yardage but are falling short in red zone efficiency and third-down conversion rates.
Ben Johnson's offensive unit, after a lackluster first two weeks, has managed to excel in several key categories. According to Jeff Risdon from USA Today, the Lions are among the top teams in the league with 826 net yards (2nd), 47 first downs (t-2nd), and a third-down conversion rate of 43.3% (8th). Additionally, their rushing attack is formidable, averaging 5.2 yards per carry, making them 8th in this category, while their passing game is second in the league with 262 yards per game.
However, the main thorn in the Lions' paw has been their red zone efficiency. Despite leading the league with 11 red zone possessions, the Lions have only managed to convert three of these opportunities into touchdowns. This 27.3% touchdown conversion rate ranks them 28th in the league. The Lions have also had three empty red zone possessions, the most in the NFL, which is a significant reason for their 1-1 record instead of a likely 2-0.
Chris Perfett from Pride of Detroit highlighted the challenges faced in their last game against the Buccaneers, stating that their red zone woes and offensive struggles significantly contributed to their defeat. Perfett suggests that for the Lions to regain their scoring momentum, both Jared Goff and Ben Johnson need to refine their playcalling and offensive tempo.
Despite these setbacks, there are reasons for optimism. The Lions' offense has shown it can dominate in moving the ball down the field. Johnson and his team are aware of the red zone inefficiencies and are likely focusing on strategies to capitalize on their efforts as they prepare for their upcoming games. Risdon mentioned that the Lions' efficiency in other offensive areas presents a silver lining and showcases their potential if they can rectify the red zone issues.
The path forward for the Lions involves not merely generating yardage but ensuring they convert these opportunities into points. By refining their red zone strategies and maintaining their strong overall offensive performance, Ben Johnson's unit can overcome these early season challenges and emerge as a powerhouse in the league.
Detroit Lions fans have plenty to look forward to if Johnson can steer the ship back on course. With a few tactical adjustments and better execution in the red zone, the Lions could very well turn these early disappointments into a successful and high-scoring season.
What other sites are saying about this topic
Lions offense doing everything great through two weeks except scoring from Jeff Risdon, USA Today
How the Lions offense can get back on track against the Cardinals from Chris Perfett, Pride Of Detroit