The Detroit Lions have had a rough start to their season, and fans are starting to feel the heat. The offense, which last season was a beacon of reliability, has stumbled out of the gate, leaving many questioning whether they can rebound. Several experts have weighed in on these early-season troubles, offering insight into the current state of the team and potential solutions.
Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network notes a feeling of discomfort around quarterback Jared Goff, who hasn’t quite found his rhythm yet. Misfires and short throws have plagued his performance, often due to pressure and miscellanea with route execution. Rogers highlights that Goff is heavily dependent on his offensive line, claiming, “If we ranked the league’s QBs, he’s probably bottom-five in mobility. He’s more of a rhythm passer, with accuracy to all depths, particularly within 20 yards, and decision-making that’s steadily improved during his time in Detroit.” When Goff is pressured, the offense often stutters, which has been evident in the first couple of games.
Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit offers a mixed bag of statistics that paint a clearer picture of the Lions' struggles. Detroit ranks 16th in the NFL, with 21.0 points per game, and 11th in yards per play at 5.7. While these numbers indicate a middle-of-the-pack offense, they pale in comparison to last year’s top-five ranking. Reisman emphasizes the drop-off in passing efficiency: “In 2023, the Lions were averaging 7.6 yards per attempt and had a passer rating of 98.2. This has plummeted to 6.4 yards per attempt and a 70.6 rating in 2024.” Reisman believes this downturn, especially Goff’s struggles from a clean pocket, is an anomaly and expects the Lions to bounce back.
The best strategy for the Lions this week is to prepare for the Arizona Cardinals’ defense, which uses an above-average amount of simulated pressures. Russell Brown of USA Today explains that the Cardinals run simulated pressures 57.7% of the time. To counter this, the Lions must focus on quick passing and consistent ground games featuring Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Sam LaPorta: “Goff and the Lions offense will need to get rid of the ball quickly… we should see the Lions offense get back to normal with a quick passing attack.”
Of course, criticism inevitably lands at the feet of head coach Dan Campbell. However, Morgan Cannon of Pride of Detroit reminds us of Campbell’s strategic and passionate coaching style as crucial for any potential turnaround. Campbell’s leadership, characterized by an intensity that permeates the team, creates an atmosphere where comebacks are possible: “When gameday rolls around, Dan has an intensity to himself. And that trickles down to the team,” said veteran offensive lineman Graham Glasgow.
Lastly, looking at upcoming matchups, predictions from the Detroit News suggest a belief in the Lions' ability to rebound. Bob Wojnowski, for one, projects a close win against the Cardinals, highlighting the expected performance of running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and the potential for red-zone improvements.
In conclusion, while the Lions' offensive woes are troubling, it's not time to sound the alarms just yet. According to Reisman, these downturns could simply be outliers that will normalize as the season progresses. With the leadership of Dan Campbell and smart adjustments like those suggested by Brown, the Lions have ample opportunity to turn things around.
What other sites are saying about this topic
DFN Mailbag: Defensive personnel, mobile QB issues and what's with the rusty offense? from Justin Rogers, Detroit Football Network
Discussion: How concerning is the Detroit Lions’ offensive start? from Jeremy Reisman, Pride Of Detroit
Lions offense needs to be prepared for Cardinals simulated pressures on defense from Russell Brown, USA Today
Notes: Why the Lions are built for today’s NFL from Morgan Cannon, Pride Of Detroit