Detroit Lions: 4 Factors to Hot Start

It’s not often that Detroit Lions fans get to say their team has won three of their last four games.

That’s the case in 2013.

The Lions have started 3-1 and look solid heading to Green Bay in their Week 5 matchup against the Packers. Despite injuries to key players, the boys from Motown are clicking on all cylinders and are in the driver’s seat in the NFC North.

All car references aside, Detroit has played well through its first four games of the NFL season. Detroit has showed that it can do more than just bomb it on offense by displaying a solid run game as well as some great defense that is creating turnovers.

Here are some of the key factors in Detroit’s hot start.

Improvements on Offense

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The Lions are roaring on offense.

No question that Detroit’s run game has provided a large boost in its early success.

The Lions may rank just 21st in rushing with a little less than 96 yards per game, but it’s obvious that having a reliable option in the backfield has assisted Detroit.

Reggie Bush and Joique Bell have been a great tandem at running back. Bush had a huge game Sunday against Chicago, racking up 139 yards and a touchdown in the win.

Bell has three touchdowns on the ground and is also averaging a little more than 50 yards from receptions this season.

Allowing Matthew Stafford to have an alternative aside from passing the rock has given the Lions’ O a much-needed makeover this season.    

Ranking fourth in the league in scoring and fifth in total offense, the Lions have become difficult to halt when both the running and passing game are clicking.

Improved Run Defense

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Detroit has improved on defense.

To the naked eye, it might seem like Detroit is up to its old games as far as stopping the run is concerned.

The Lions currently rank 21st in rushing defense, allowing a shade under 111 yards per game. Take a look at these big runs given up by Detroit this season. (Stats compiled from Pro-Football-Reference.com.)

Week 1: Adrian Peterson rushing yards: 76 (TD)

Week 3: Alfred Morris rushing yards: 30 yards (TD)

Week 4: Matt Forte rushing yards: 53 yards (TD)

While the Lions have given up huge run plays this season, they’ve done a great job of taking those players out of the game (metaphorically of course) after those plays.

Check out how those players were held in check before and after (in Adrian Peterson’s case—after) those big plays.

Week 1: Adrian Peterson rushing yards: 21 (2 TDs)

Week 3: Alfred Morris rushing yards: 43

Week 4: Matt Forte rushing yards: 42  

Of course we can’t pretend those big plays didn’t happen, but this shows that the Lions are improving at stopping running backs.

If Detroit’s defense could contain runners for an entire 60 minutes like how it did against the Cardinals in Week 2, they won’t relinquish their spot atop the NFC North.

David Akers Looks Solid

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David Akers is looking good through the first four games.

Field goals were almost a “shoe-in” during the years of former Lions kicker Jason Hanson, and now it seems that’s the case with David Akers.

So, maybe I jumped the gun on the Lions' new kicker—or perhaps I inspired him.

Eh, I doubt it.

In any case, after blowing two kicks against the Arizona Cardinals and starting the season 2-of-4, Akers has not missed, going 6-of-6 since Week 2.    

Through the first four games, Akers has been fairly reliable—something that Detroit will need for the remainder of the season. 

The offense will have its lapses in or near the red zone, and that is when Akers can continue to prove his worth as the Lions’ kicker.

Multiple Weapons on Both Sides of the Ball

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Calvin Johnson is looking like his 2011 Megatron form.

Whether it is on defense or offense, Motown’s Lions are getting production on both sides of the ball.

Prior to Nate Burleson getting injured, he was the team’s leading pass-catcher with 19 receptions. Calvin Johnson is up to his usual offensive onslaught with four touchdown receptions in as many games.

Reggie Bush has proved he was worth picking up this offseason, compiling 179 receiving yards, 254 yards on the ground and two total TDs on the season.

It has almost become a cruel game of "pick your poison" with the Lions.

Detroit’s defense has impressed as well.

Rookie defensive end Ziggy Ansah has five tackles and leads the team with 2.5 sacks. Ndamukong Suh has given defenses fits causing havoc on the line, collecting two sacks and 11 tackles in the process.

This is the formula that Detroit needs in a season where injuries have picked off players game after game.

It keeps opposing offenses and defenses guessing who will do what each game, and it allows Detroit to have multiple playmakers on both sides of the rock. 

It has been a magnificent group effort by Detroit.

That effort needs to be maintained for the remainder of the season in order to make a serious run in the playoffs.