How to fix the Lions

The Detroit Lions had an 11-5 record in the regular season, but were ousted in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs in Dallas. Although the game was partially decided on a controversial picked up flag, which would have been pass interference, ended up shanking a punt, for Dallas to go down the field and obtain the lead. Detroit had opportunities to win that game, but the season was over.

After returning to the playoffs, the Lions and their fan base had VERY high expectations. Expectations are not always what is the state of what is going to happen, as they did here.

Problem: The Lions have had plenty of problems this season, and these issues start up front with the offensive line. According to Football Outsiders, the Lions have the 31st ranked offensive lines, out of 32. The line has had many injuries, but they have also had people just not live up to expectations. The Lions are currently on pace for the worst rushing season in NFL history, as they are on pace for 784 yards rushing total.

Solution: They need to find their offensive identity. Whether they need to make some trades, or just stick with the run game, something needs to be done.

Problem: The Lions’ receivers haven’t been receiving very well either. Fumbles and dropped passes have hurt them more than ever. Calvin “Megatron” Johnson has even fumbled this season, his being the biggest, With a little over 1  minute left, the lions were 15 yards away from winning the game with a touchdown. Megatron caught the ball and heads for the endzone where Kam Chancellor punches the ball out before he crosses the goal line, where the ball was illegally knocked out of bounds. That was not called and costed the Lions the game. Although would have been avoided, if the Lions most reliable player never fumbled in the first place.

Solution: This is an easy problem to fix, as you can practice holding on to the ball, but if it doesn’t get fixed, I could see some players getting benched.

Problem: Then we get to the most important part of any offense, the quarterback. Matthew Stafford has been very disappointing this season with only 6 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions Stafford has looked to be confused in this offense, and hasn’t been able to produce to what we have seen in other seasons. As a former 5,000 yard passer and 40+ touchdown pass season, he has seemed to regress a lot since then. He has overthrown open receivers and underthrown open receivers. Stafford was the #1 overall pick many years ago and needs to start living up to it.

Solution: While this is definitely the most controversial problem, there are a couple options to fix it. 1.) Keep Stafford in there, give him some extra time. 2.) Trade him to a team that may be able to get the best out of him. 3.) Set up an open competition at QB, and see who can win the job. 4.) Draft a QB. Whether it is to replace Stafford, or to back him up, this one seems almost inevitable, we need someone to groom behind Stafford.

Problem: And last but definitely not the least of their problems, Offensive Coordinator Joe Lombardi. Whether it is the offense that doesn’t seem to fit the personnel that we have, or the ridiculous play calling, Lombardi is a problem. The offense has plenty of pieces available, in receivers such as Golden Tate and Calvin Johnson, running backs such as Ameer Abdullah, or the tight end position Eric Ebron, Lombardi isn’t utilizing them. If the offense isn’t fixed soon, be ready for coaching changes.

Solution: If the offense doesn’t hit its stride, be ready for some firings on the coaching staff.

There are many problems with the Lions offense so far, most of which are capable of being fixed, but without fixing these problems, it will be a long season, as they have already started 1-5, tying as many losses as last years 11-5 campaign. Anything is possible, but a repeat 11-5 season seems to be out of reach.