How the Detroit Lions can win the NFC North in 2020

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 29: Detroit Lions Head Football Coach Matt Patricia talks with his defense during the third quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on December 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Green Bay defeated Detroit 23-20. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

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Detroit Lions, D’Andre Swift (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. After a long search, the Lions finally find a reliable running game.

The numbers are well-documented and at the same time a little disturbing. The past six seasons, the Detroit Lions have been absolutely dismal when it comes to running the football — this despite the fact that the team did make some strides in this area a season ago.

And while quarterback Matthew Stafford, when healthy, (Michael Rothstein of ESPN) has rolled up in a share of yards and scores, the lack of a balanced attack has hurt this team in numerous ways.

In 2018, general manager Bob Quinn thought he may have solved the club’s woes by using a second-round pick on Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson. He showed flashes as a rookie but health was an issue and that was certainly the case a year ago as well.

So it was back to the well this April and this time the lions use another second-round pick on another SEC performer but this one from the University of Georgia.

And if running back D’Andre Swift can follow in the footsteps, literally, of recent Bulldogs such as Sony Michel and Nick Chubb, the Lions may have finally found their answer. In any case, a duo of Johnson and Swift could pay big dividends for the Lions offense.

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