The Honolulu Blueprint: Keys to a Lions victory over Washington

The Honolulu Blueprint: Identifying several key strategies the Lions will need to do, in order to be victorious over Washington in Week 12.

The Detroit Lions (3-6-1) are banged up as they prepare to travel to Washington (1-9) in Week 12, and they’ll need to follow this week’s Honolulu Blueprint if they want to come away with a victory.

Let’s take a look at the key components the Lions need to take advantage of in Week 12.

Driskel needs to keep it simple, play to strengths

Matthew Stafford (back) will miss yet another game and that means the Lions will call on Driskel once again to step in and step up.

Driskel has played well the last two weeks, producing through the air and on the ground. He’s thrown for 478 yards, three touchdowns, and only one interception, while his 88 rushing yards, and a score, have been very problematic for defenses.

No one will be mistaking Driskel for Stafford anytime soon, but he won’t need to be in this game. Driskel’s priorities should be to keep active feet, limit turnovers, and take what the defense is giving him.

Keep Bo Scarbrough rolling

From practice squader to starter in the 24-hours leading up to last week’s game, Scarbrough made the most of his opportunity with the Lions. He scored on only this third NFL touch:

At the end of the day, Scarbrough’s numbers may have appeared average, finishing the game with 14 carries for 55 yards (3.9 yards per carry average) and the above touchdown, but when you look closer, there were some impressive stats — specifically, yards after contact:

Per Pro Football Focus, Scarbrough is averaging an impressive 4.07 yards after contact.

Bottom line: don’t get caught up in the total yards rushing, it’s how he’s producing those yards that matter. He brings a huge missing piece to the Lions backfield and one that they need to keep working if they hope to find success on the ground.

Get creative with pressure

Washington’s rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins hasn’t quite acclimated to NFL pressure. The first-round pick was announced the starter less than three weeks ago, and his two games as a starter, he has thrown 57 passes and been sacked 10 times.

The Lions will be without their top two defensive line pressure creators in Trey Flowers (concussion) and Da’Shawn Hand (ankle). Because of this, coaches will need to get creative in how they scheme up pressure.

One of the most impactful ways they have found success doing this is by disguising where the pressure is coming from and bringing linebackers from non-traditional spots. With injuries upfront — and Tracy Walker (knee) also out — expect the Lions to deploy a lot of linebacker sets, which should afford them the opportunity to utilize these pressure schemes.

Shut down Haskins top option in McLaurin

Haskins and fellow rookie Terry McLaurin (3rd round pick) were a formidable duo at Ohio State a year ago and their chemistry has carried over to the NFL. On the season, McLaurin has 566 yards receiving, more than double the next receiving target on the team.

There’s little doubt McLaurin is Washington’s top receiving option, and when it’s this obvious, it’s almost a foregone conclusion he’s going to draw Darius Slay. If Slay can take away Washington’s top option, it could force Haskins into uncomfortable situations and that means opportunities for turnovers.

On the year, 79 passes, Haskins has thrown five picks. At the same time, the Lions have gone five weeks without an interception. This could be a prime opportunity to end the drought.

Overcome the loss of Agnew on special teams

Lions kick and punt returner Jamal Agnew will miss this game with an ankle injury and that means an opportunity for someone else to step up.

Last week after Agnew went down, Marvin “all I do is catch 40-yard passes” Hall filled in returning punts — there were no kick returns after Agnew left the game but the expectation is Hall or rookie Ty Johnson will line up there this week.

The Lions shouldn’t have a problem replacing Agnew’s 4.34 speed — Hall and Johnson can also each run sub 4.4 — but can they replace his production? Last year in Atlanta, Hall returned 26 kickoffs for a 23.7-yard average, roughly 3 yards less than Agnew. Johnson has never returned a kick in the NFL but he took two to the house against Michigan and Ohio State.

The Lions have the potential to overcome the loss of Agnew — which is more than can be said in years past — but they need to show it on the field.