Tag: detroit lions offense

Lions are the best at putting points on the board often

No team is better at finishing drives with touchdowns in 2024 than the Detroit Lions

The Lions have been putting plenty of points on the board this season. They currently lead the league with 33.4 points per game.

On a similar note, they are also putting points on the board at a high rate. According to Pro Football Focus, the Lions lead the league with a 35.0% touchdown success rate this season. In other words, the Lions have scored a touchdown on 35 percent of their offensive drives this season.

 

In Week 8 against the Titans, the Lions scored on 50 percent (6-of-12) of their offensive drives in their 52-14 win. And that was with emptying their bench in the fourth quarter. Detroit scored 35 points in the first half and added two more touchdowns in the third quarter.

As long as the Lions continue to be successful on offense, their Super Bowl hopes will only get higher. This could really be the year.

Lions lead the NFL in explosive plays on offense after Week 6

No team gets a higher percentage of big plays on offense than the Lions do under Ben Johnson

Through the first six weeks of the NFL season, the Detroit Lions lead the NFL in scoring offense. Ben Johnson’s unit averages 30.2 PPG, a figure bolstered by two straight games of topping 40 points.

Johnson’s offense is so potent because they’re very good at creating explosive plays. Whether it’s on the ground or in the air, the Lions are capable of ripping off chunks of yardage better than any other team.

Explosive plays are defined as runs that gain 10 or more yards and pass plays that net 20 or more yards. The league average is 8.6 percent, and the Lions are well above-average.

Ben Johnson’s offense produces those explosive plays at a rate of 13.1 percent, just ahead of the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts for the best percentage in the league after Week 6. It’s based on percentage of offensive plays, so the Lions already having a bye week doesn’t factor into the ranking.

From Jared Goff hooking up with Jameson Williams or Sam LaPorta, to big runs from David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions are proving they have the most dangerous, explosive offense in the NFL.

Don’t hit the panic button on Detroit Lions offense but reasons for concern are valid

Don’t hit the panic button on Detroit Lions offense after a disappointing start, but reasons for concern are valid

Sparing all of us from every little detail, we all know the Detroit Lions let today’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers get away from them. Sure it’s a team game but this loss primarily falls on the Lions offense. It was an odd but also, bad performance from this offense today.

Certainly, nobody should be sounding the alarms, but the reasons for concern right now are valid. No question, everyone has bad days at the office. The Lions offense is allowed to have them, too. That said, it’s consecutive weeks of head-scratching play-calling from offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

Today was by far the worst we’ve seen from him during his tenure in Detroit. The lack of commitment to running the football in this game was odd. In the first half against the Bucs, the Lions had 20 pass attempts, seven rushes and one fake pass attempt. All they had to show for it was six lousy points.

Looking at the Lions 2nd, 3rd and 4th drive in the first half, here’s how they all went:

  • 2nd series: 4 pass plays to 1 run play was called. 2 out-of-the final 3 plays inside the Bucs 10-yard line were pass plays. Only one run play was called and it gained 7 yards. Lions settled for a field goal.
  • 3rd series: 8 pass plays to 4 run plays were called. 2 out-of-the final 3 plays inside the Bucs 20-yard line were pass plays. Only one run play was called. They gained one yard inside the Bucs 20-yard line despite having 16 yards (4.0 yards per carry) rushing on this drive.
  • 4th series: 7 pass plays to 3 run plays were called. Despite converting on 4th down twice, the Lions still had to punt on this drive. When the Lions crossed midfield and were facing 2nd-and-6, they dropped back to pass consecutive times. Both were incomplete. They had gained four yards on the ground from David Montgomery to setup that 2nd-and-6. 

Without going full play-by-play from today’s game, it just feels like Ben Johnson was getting away from manageable situations on 2nd and 3rd down. Last season, the Lions seemed content on running the ball to get into 2nd-and-6 or 3rd-and-3, but not in this game. Instead, it felt like Johnson was trying to pick up bigger down and distances all in one play every chance he got.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1835401578234442103

Look at the 4th quarter with under 8 minutes left to play. The Lions are only down four points and are faced with a 2nd-and-16 after a holding call on Frank Ragnow. Rather than trying to get into a more manageable 3rd down situation, the Lions ran deeper routes or had concepts towards the sideline. Nothing was run towards the middle of the field nor was anything open. This led to Goff forcing a throw rather than taking a sack and it ultimately led to an interception.

https://twitter.com/SharpFootball/status/1835409351600656870

If Ben Johnson wasn’t trying to get chunk plays off just one pass, the passing script sure felt forced to start the game. Like I said, Goff had attempted 20 pass attempts in the first half. However, 14 of those pass attempts were intended for Amon-Ra St. Brown or Jameson Williams. Tight end Sam LaPorta didn’t even have a target in the first half.

No doubt, the Lions should get the ball to their playmakers. But with them having so many weapons, it should never be one-sided.

One week removed from only having 28 pass attempts, Goff had 55 pass attempts today. That’s practically double from the Rams game in week one. Keep in mind, those 55 pass attempts were the most Goff has thrown with the Lions since his very first game in Detroit during the 2021 season (57 attempts). You can call me crazy or a hater, but to me, that just can’t happen.

We all know what Goff is at quarterback, but it feels like Johnson is forcing him to be something he’s not. Sure, there’s plenty of football left but it’s been a very odd start to the season for a Lions offense that got so much praise this summer. Sooner rather than later, they’ll need to commit to running the football. If they don’t it could lead to a lack of confidence for the entire offense as this season continues.

Rams new wave of pass rushers is a new challenge for the Lions

The Rams wave of pass rushers is a new challenge for the Lions offensive line from the Aaron Donald years

For years, Aaron Donald has been the focal point for all blocking against the Los Angeles Rams defense. Donald earned that respect, racking up eight All-Pro nods and three AP Defensive Player of the Year honors in his 10 seasons.

Donald is now retired, and the Rams defense will look markedly different without him in the middle. Los Angeles has smartly chosen not to try and directly replace the surefire Hall of Famer with just one player. That will make a very new challenge for the Detroit Lions offensive line in Week 1.

The Rams hit on two rookie pass rushers a year ago. OLB Byron Young and DL Kobie Turner, both taken in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, combined for 17 sacks and over 100 QB pressures. Turner actually had more sacks than Donald did (9 to 8) in 2023.

To that solid duo, the Rams added their top two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft. First-round EDGE Jared Verse and second-round DT Braden Fiske were both very accomplished pass rushers at Florida State a year ago. They’ll mix in with the impressive rookie tandem from last year to provide a very different look than the Lions saw in Detroit’s playoff win in January.

The Lions, of course, have the best all-around offensive line in the league. Detroit does have changes at guard, with Graham Glasgow moving to the left side to accommodate veteran Pro Bowl RG Kevin Zeitler. They are surrounded by perhaps the best tackle tandem in the league, with All-Pro center Frank Ragnow ensconced between them.

It should make for a great battle. It’s also a battle of the unknown; the Lions didn’t play any starters a single snap in the preseason. None of those four Rams defenders played in the preseason either; the Rams starters on both sides of the ball also sat the entire preseason.

That means the Lions don’t get the benefit of having film to watch of the new-look Rams defense. And it’s a very new defenseit’s a very new defense; the Rams have 10 rookies among their 25 defensive players on their initial 53-man roster, with five of them undrafted rookies.

All that inexperience on the Rams defense is also a great opportunity for Detroit’s fine-tuned, creative offense. The Rams haven’t seen anything like Jared agoff throwing to Sam LaPorta, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams et al. It won’t be easy for the Lions line, but they’ve proven to be up for the challenge before.

Taylor Decker contract extension locks open the Lions offensive window

Taylor Decker contract extension locks open the Lions offensive window with all the key pieces signed through the next few seasons

Taylor Decker will be a Detroit Lion through at least the 2027 season after signing a three-year contract extension worth $60 million. The longtime left tackle is the latest Lions core player to lock in for the long term with the team this offseason.

The team’s longest-tenured player, Decker’s play and leadership have both evolved into something that definitely adds value, to use a term Decker stated several times in his press conference Monday. Detroit securing that value for the next three years after already showering QB Jared Goff, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown and fellow OT Penei Sewell with big contracts this offseason means the Lions offense figures to remain one of the very best in the league for the foreseeable future.

Decker is 30 and entering his ninth season in Detroit. He’s consistently proven to be an above-average left tackle over the last two seasons after fluctuating a little closer to average earlier in his career. Decker himself feels like he’s got several good years ahead of him.

“I think I’m in my prime. I still think I am,” Decker said confidently. “I think I’ll be able to play as long as I want to, knock on wood, barring any freak accidents. So I just want to be here. I want to be a part of this team.”

Of the core players locked up by the team this offseason, Decker is the greybeard. Goff, like Decker a 2016 first-round pick (by the Rams), is 29 and coming off perhaps his best all-around season. St. Brown is 24. Sewell, named the best offensive lineman in the league by some outlets earlier this summer, is still just 23 years old. All-Pro center Frank Ragnow is 28 and signed through the 2026 season.

Other key pieces like Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs are on rookie contracts through the next two seasons. Running back David Montgomery, 27, is signed through 2025.

All the players who were critical in leading the Lions to a top-five offense in each of the last two seasons will remain in Detroit through at least the next two seasons. Decker is the only one over 30, and he plays a position where many players peak in their early 30s.

Detroit GM Brad Holmes has effectively locked open the team’s window for winning with a potent, proven top-5 offense for at least the next two seasons. Beyond the talent, the fact that everyone who has needed to be paid big money already has it on that side of the ball means the Lions won’t have to worry about contract disputes or dissatisfaction, in contrast to fellow NFC contenders like the Cowboys and Eagles.

Decker talked about how important that secure feeling can be.

“Moving forward, I can just focus on playing football, going through camp day-to-day. I don’t have to have any of that hanging over my head. It’s a pretty good feeling.”

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3 underrated players for the Detroit Lions offense

3 underrated players for the Detroit Lions offense, from Lions Wire’s Russell Brown

About a month ago, I had looked into the Lions defense and wrote about three underrated defenders for this season. Switching gears, I want to do the same for the Lions offense.

We all know that the Lions offense is one of the most dynamic and yet, unpredictable offenses in the league. Defensive coordinators have gone on record and said that Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is currently the toughest to prepare for during game week.

Despite not drafting any offensive player until the 4th round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Lions seem to be a team that can make anything work with whoever is on the field. Let’s look at three offensive players that could be highly underrated right now.

RB Sione Vaki

This one shouldn’t be surprising. Whenever talking about players that could contribute right away or potentially in a big way, the first name always brought up is Sione Vaki.

During the Lions rookie mini-camp, he was very impressive in running back drills and showed his special teams ability right away. The expectation is for him to have some contribution as a returner on kick return.

Even though he was primarily a safety in college, Vaki showed what he could do with the ball in his hands for the Utah offense. Despite only having 42 carries in college, he had 317 rushing yards and two touchdowns. In addition to that, he recorded 11 receptions for 203 yards and three touchdowns.

While the Lions offense will primarily run through Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Vaki sprinkled into the offense. This is where it all leads back to the creativity of Ben Johnson. I can’t help but think of short yardage, red zone and 3rd down packages that feature Vaki on a weekly basis.

IOL Kayode Awosika

We’ve seen the Lions offensive line get banged up in the past. While none of us want to see it, there’s still a chance that injuries occur at some point this season. As we’ve seen Frank Ragnow battle through injuries, there could always be a stretch of games where Graham Glasgow has to move to center.

If that’s the case, the player that could step up is Kayode Awosika. Last season, he played in 252 regular season snaps and he only gave up one sack. According to PFF, he earned a 59.8 overall grade last season. While those aren’t great numbers, he still flashed on tape. Keep in mind, he did play 100% of the snaps in the NFC Championship Game.

The Lions clearly see something with Awosika and his ability. That’s why he was resigned to a contract this off-season. As he continues to work with offensive line coach Hank Fraley, one would assume that his better days of football are ahead of him.

WR Isaiah Williams

This one shouldn’t surprise anyone. I’ve been a fan of Isaiah Williams since I watched his tape after he signed a deal with the Lions after the 2023 NFL Draft.

It’s not every day that a UDFA makes the roster but with some uncertainty around the 4th and 5th receiver spot on the Lions roster, I think Williams has a chance. If he earns that chance, it wouldn’t surprise me if he contributed more than people think.

When watching his tape, I think he was comparable to Green Bay Packers WR Jayden Reed. While Williams only ran a 4.63 time in the 40-yard dash, he did post a 6.75 time in the 3-cone drill and he did have a 38 1/2″ vertical. I’m not sold on Donovan Peoples-Jones or Antoine Green quite yet so this summer, I would keep tabs on Williams as much as possible.

Lions offense finished in the top 10 in every PFF metric

The Detroit Lions offense finished in the top 10 in every PFF metric during the 2023 regular season

The Detroit Lions offense was clearly good on the surface. Ben Johnson’s unit finished fifth in scoring and third in total yards during the 2023 regular season.

The Lions offense was also very good below the surface in the analytical grading. Detroit finished in the top 10 of every single offensive metric graded by Pro Football Focus.

Detroit’s offensive rankings in the main offensive measuring sticks from PFF:

Total offense: 2nd

Passing: 5th

Pass blocking: t-8th

Receiving: 3rd

Running: 9th

Run blocking: 2nd

PFF grades are often taken with a wink or a grain of salt, but they do serve as a strong comparative tool on a more macro level. The overall grades for the teams (and also individual players) are an effective way of seeing how good–or bad–a group is relative to its peers across the league.

 

Detroit Lions Podcast: Bish & Brown preview Lions vs. Buccaneers

Detroit Lions Podcast: Previewing Lions vs. Buccaneers with Scott Bischoff and Russell Brown

In addition to my content here on the Lions Wire, I’ve also been fortunate enough to team up with my friend and colleague Scott Bischoff. We’ll be teaming up and producing a weekly show for our friends over at the Detroit Lions Podcast network.

On this show, we’ll obviously talk about the Lions. However, we’ll also discuss their weekly opponent, how we expect the game to go and at some point, we’ll start adding some NFL Draft content into the mix.

This week, we previewed the Lions week 6 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Here’s what we discussed:

  • The Lions destroyed the Panthers for a 42-24 victory in week five.
  • Diversity in the Lions offense is why they’re one of the best teams in the NFL.
  • Expectations for Lions/Bucs.
  • All that and more!