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How the Detroit Lions can win the NFC North

By Russell S. Baxter

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 16: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions instructs teammates from the line during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 16, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 16: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions instructs teammates from the line during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 16, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 18: Detroit Lions running back Kerryon Johnson #33 celebrates his touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Ford Field on November 18, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

1. Commit to the running game

It was supposed to be different this past season and at times, the Detroit Lions’ ground game appeared to be on the verge of making some real progress. From 2014-17, the team totaled the fewest rushing yards in the league over that span. The club ran for less than 100 yards in 48-of-64 contests. That doesn’t including playoff games in 2014 and 2016 in which the Lions failed to rush for at least 100 yards.

There was a big effort in the team’s 26-10 primetime win over the Patriots in Week 3. Three games later, then-rookie running back Kerryon Johnson and the club gashed the Miami Dolphins for a total of 248 yards on the ground. The 2018 second-round pick would wind up leading the club with 641 yards rushing (three touchdowns). But he would miss the final six games of the season.

Ironically, the Lions would run for 100-plus yards in five of their final six contests. They finished 23rd in the NFL in rushing yards per game. It marked the first time since 2013 that the club averaged 25-plus running plays and at least 100 yards per contest.

Next. Grading each NFL team's 2019 offseason. dark

Now enter new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, known mainly in the NFL for his days with the Seattle Seahawks. It’s safe to say that those teams knew a little something about running the football. A healthy Johnson, the offseason addition of C.J. Anderson, contributions from Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner and a game plan that stresses the run could result in an improved ground attack in the Motor City.

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