Detroit Lions Offensive Playbook: Keys to Leading the Pack

In 2008, while most Green Bay Packer fans were complaining about Aaron Rodgers—mostly that he wasn't Brett Favre and couldn't grow as nice of a cold-weather beard, the Packers' real problem was on defense.

The Packers finished out the year ranked 20th in the league in total defense and allowed almost 24 points per game.

The running game wasn't much better, but that is for another article.

Dom Capers, a 3-4 guru, was brought in to improve the defensive numbers. As of yet, it hasn't worked.

If one looks quickly, one will immediately see that the Packers rank seventh so far in 2009. However, on closer inspection, it is notable that they are actually giving up just as much yardage and nearly equal points.

The offense isn't better, just different.

In fairness to the Pack, most teams need a year or so to really transition into a new defense. Although the Broncos went the quick route and signed a bunch of aged veterans, Ted Thompson likes to build through the draft.

Green Bay has the beginnings of a very good 3-4 defense, but for right now, they have issues.

With the following plays and strategies, the Detroit Lions can hand them another loss.

HB Lead Dive—Kevin Smith

Formation: I-Form Wide

If a reader happened to be traveling anywhere near Southcentral Minnesota these two past Sundays, that reader would have clearly heard a deep manly voice shouting "RUN THE BALL UP THE MIDDLE"

Against both Chicago and Pittsburgh the Lions have tried, unsuccessfully to reach the edge against teams with a strong outside presence.

I am told that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I'm not sure if I should believe that, because it was the monkey living in my closet who told me.

The Lions shouldn't expect different results against the Packers who have a couple of studs in Brandon Chillar and Aaron Kampman. The angle running the ball at two stand up nines is never easy to reach.

The quickest way between point "A"—the line of scrimmage and point "B"—the endzone, is always a straight line.

Raiola and a guard double team the nosetackle, Ryan Pickett, the tackles kick out the defensive ends and Jerome Felton handles the play side inside linebacker.

Three and a half yards per play, easy.

Yes, the weakside linebackers will get there. AJ Hawk will blow up the occasional play for a loss.

The 3-4 is not a defense that to draw up home run rushing plays against. The 3-4 is a grind it out, wear 'em out defense. You have to establish the run.

Letting Felton tee off on some linebackers will wear them down.

Another way to loosen up the defense is something the Lions have gone to and that is putting a wide receiver in motion to simulate an end around. Anything to get an extra second of time.

Tight End Post—Brandon Pettigrew

Formation: I Form Singleback

The Packers have two of the more impressive man-on-man cornerbacks in the league. However, the safeties know that they need to cheat over the top if the receiver breaks free (more on that later).

Against the stout 3-4, it can be hard to run shorter routes with the tight end. If Pettigrew runs the crossing route he has become so accustomed to, the ball is liable to be picked off by one of the linebackers dropping into coverage.

However, turning that right angle into 45 degrees could have huge impact.

Man-on-man, Pettigrew is a better athlete than any of the Green Bay linebackers in coverage. If Pettigrew can get a step on the linebacker and hit the seam between the safeties, it should be a homer un.

Play-Action Release—Kevin Smith

Formation: I-Form Wide

Against the 3-4 defense, play action passes can be deadly.

Three men are rushing on every play and the outside linebackers are closer to the line of scrimmage. If those OLBs react to the run that leaves two men in the middle of the field. If a blitz is on, the quarterback could find the field open wide.

The ball needs to get out quickly though.

Against the Steelers, especially at the end of the game, the Lions didn't play the middle of the field well. It is imperative to establish that area early with quick passes.

On the play action release, the running back fakes getting the hand off and delays a moment before finding green grass up field.

It is a chemistry play—the running back doesn't need to have a designated route, he simply finds where the other team isn't. The quarterback needs to be on the same page.

If the Packers aren't blitzing, this play can still be a quick pass to the flats for a five to eight yard gain. If the Packers are rushing six or seven, it is a home run.

Zone Read—Matthew Stafford

Formation: Shotgun—Singleback

Looking at the title may be confusing for some. No, I am not talking about the spread-option run play Appalachian State once crushed Michigan with.

On the pro-style zone read, it is actually two plays in one. For the receivers, it is a long pass play. For the running back, it's like a draw. For the offensive line, it is confusing.

Every team has a few plays like this, they go widely unnoticed to the television audience who aren't in the quarterback's head as he makes his decision.

Before the ball is snapped, Stafford must survey the defense and decide if a blitz is on. He makes a decision, do I hand off? Or, is this going to be a play action pass?

When the ball gets to him, Stafford must key on the linebacker where Kevin Smith will be running, if the gap is open, hand it off for a decent size gain. If not, pull the ball back and let loose.

Peyton Manning runs about 13 of these a game—more against teams that blitz.

Matthew Stafford, by all accounts, is a smart quarterback who understands film study. If he can execute a few of these the Lions could be in a good position.

Benchmarks for a Win

Last week, the Lions eclipsed every offensive benchmark I set for them. The difference in the game was a rookie interception thrown late and an inability to adjust on the final drive.

However, against the world champions, the Lions held reasonably tough. No one thought this was a game they should be in, they even beat the spread.

If the Lions hit these five benchmarks, it should be a good game to watch.

100 Yards Rushing —Last week the Lions rushed for 110 against the Steelers, counting Daunte's big scamper. This week, the Lions need to establish the ground game.

Against the Packers, Cedric Benson had nothing going until late, but it was the constant pounding that took its toll on the Packer defense.

Eight Yards per Attempt Passing —Believe it or not, "Captain Checkdown" Daunte Culpepper has actually lengthened the field as much this season as Matthew Stafford.

Part of that is because Stafford has missed on longer throws. These are passes Stafford can make. The defense won't be as willing to blitz if he hits a longer pass early.

30 Minutes of Possesion —The Lions are a ball control team. They don't turn the ball over or have nearly as many three-and-outs as they did in the Martz era. That trend needs to continue for a win at Lambeau.

One Fourth Down Conversion —The Packers are a bend but don't break defense. Dom Capers would rather give up a ton of yardage and three field goals than one touchdown. Green Bay has been horrific this year on third and fourth downs.

The Lions should use first and second down to get manageable later downs. Everything past half field should be four-down territory.

25-yard line Average Starting Field Position It's not too much to ask...

Michael Schottey is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and the producer and host of The Average Joe Sports Show on 860AM KNUJ (New Ulm, MN). He is also an NFL Analyst and Senior Writer for DraftTek.com.