Lions offense – Syndication Server

Lions offense tops the league in this efficiency stat

The Detroit Lions offense goes three-and-out less than any other team in 2023

One of the takeaways from Detroit’s Week 13 win in New Orleans was how often the Lions offense went three-and-out. Ben Johnson’s unit went three-and-out four times against the Saints, an abnormally high rate of offensive failure.

It stood out in part because the Lions don’t typically go three-and-out very often. In fact, the Lions are the NFL’s best offense in 2023 at avoiding the dreaded three-and-out. Detroit punts after three plays just 24 percent of the time.

A handy graph breaking it down, courtesy Arjun Menon on X (formerly Twitter):

It’s an impressive display of efficiency from Jared Goff and the Lions offense.

No team used shotgun formations less than the Lions in 2022

Jared Goff took more snaps under center than any other QB, a function of Detroit’s offense catering to his skills

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The modern NFL offense heavily utilizes the shotgun formation as the base offensive set. Well, most offenses do. Not the 2022 Detroit Lions.

Detroit operated out of the shotgun on just 51 percent of its snaps last season. That’s the lowest percentage in the league. Quarterback Jared Goff took 49 percent of his snaps under center.

The tailoring of the offensive set to Goff’s preference to work under center worked quite well. Detroit’s offense ranked third out of 32 teams in EPA (expected points added per play) when not in the gun. Goff was good from the gun, too; the Lions were 7th in EPA from the shotgun.

One other wrinkle that stands out is the use of pre-snap motion. The Lions used it 53 percent of the time, the 6th-most motion in the league.

All statistical data was compiled by Sports Info Solutions.

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3 surprising contributors for the Detroit Lions offense in 2023

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Over the next several months, we’ll see the Detroit Lions ironing out their roster on a regular basis. Whether it be cutting offensive lineman or confirming a seventh round pick wide receiver to their 53-man roster. Whatever the case may be, the Lions roster has a lot of potential. After looking over the roster these last few days, here are three players that could be surprising contributors for the 2023 season.

WR Kalif Raymond

Believe it or not but Kalif Raymond was ranked 3rd on the team for receptions last season. With 47 receptions for 616 yards, Raymond has put together back-to-back seasons of solid production. With wide receiver Jameson Williams suspended for the first six weeks of the season, the Lions could lean on Raymond as the teams 2nd or 3rd receiver.

When watching Raymond, you can see that he can be used in a variety of ways. He can run vertically down the field and has shown that he can track the football or run past the opposition. Meanwhile, he’s effective in the short and intermediate areas of the field. With the experience that Raymond has in this Lions offense, it wouldn’t be surprising if he gets the nod over players such as Antoine Green, Trinity Benson and other receivers trying to make the roster. There’s potential for Raymond to flirt with 50 receptions for a third consecutive season for the Lions.

TE Sam LaPorta

This one might not be as surprising, but Sam LaPorta could be incredibly productive as a rookie for the Lions. He has the ability to run after-the-catch on a consistent basis and can create separation at ease with his route running ability. LaPorta is a fluid athlete that should easily get the nod as the starting tight end in this offense. I could see him ending up with 50 receptions for over 500 yards this season.

OL Colby Sorsdal

As we’ve seen from the Lions in the past, they like to bring on an additional offensive lineman as a tight end to block. With some uncertainty surrounding Halapoulivaati Vaitai at right guard, we could easily see scenarios where Graham Glasgow or Colby Sorsdal play there. Meanwhile, we could also see Sorsdal used as a tight end or a swing tackle.

When watching Sorsdal, you’ll see that he can play too high or lean too far forward but he’s athletic with good lateral quickness to reach block and pull. There’s potential for Sorsdal to play more than expected as a rookie. While that could be bad due to potential injuries or it’s being hopeful that he catches on quickly as the coaching staff carves out a role for him up front.

Lions offensive weapons rank poorly in league ratings

The Detroit Lions offensive weapons rank poorly in the latest league ratings from ESPN

When an NFL team says goodbye to four of its top five wide receivers and also lets a future Hall of Fame running back walk away all in the same offseason, it’s a huge hit to the offensive weapon depth chart. And that massive blow to the Detroit Lions leaves the team ranked at the bottom of the ratings compiled by ESPN.

Only the Houston Texans are below the Lions in ESPN’s latest rankings, this one being on the offensive weaponry on each team. This is a common pairing at the bottom of most of ESPN’s power rankings this offseason. Being 31st is well-earned by the Lions here with the emphasis on the NFL as a passing league.

Interestingly, the commentary tone is fairly optimistic and even bullish on the Lions at tight end and running back. But about those wide receivers…

the Lions have left themselves with the worst wide receivers room in the league. Nominal top options Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams are both best served as the third or fourth member of a passing attack while running 10-15 go routes per game. Fourth-rounder Amon-Ra St. Brown would be depth-chart fodder in some organizations; here, he might have a chance to lead all wideouts in targets.

The rankings here do not directly consider the quarterback position, although in looking at the rankings it’s difficult to not see some bias towards the better QBs too. It’s worth noting the Lions ranked 25th in 2020 and 19th in 2019 in the same ratings with their significantly superior wide receiver rooms.

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