Breaking Down the Detroit Lions' Struggles to Run the Ball

The Detroit Lions did many things well in their 35-14 romp over the New York Giants in Week 1. One area where the team struggled, however, was in running the football. 

Detroit's running engine sputtered from the beginning. The first run of the game was an off-tackle effort to the left side by Joique Bell. The Giants were ready for it. 

Golden Tate motions across, and the New York defense rotates around in reaction. The right corner cheats way up, while the strong-side and middle linebackers both slide up and to their right. 

NFL Game Rewind

This is beautiful defense by New York. Three defensive linemen successfully occupy all five Lions offensive linemen, keeping the linebacker and safety to flow to the play unencumbered. Mathias Kiwanuka (No. 94) is in perfect position on backside containment. 

NFL Game Rewind

There is no room for Bell, and he's swarmed out of bounds by three Giants for no gain. 

New York's defensive line consistently won the battles against Detroit's offensive line. They kept the linebackers free to close quickly on the ball without blocking encumbrance. 

The Giants completely bottled up Detroit's rushing attack in the first half.

Carries	Yards	Average	Long	First downs
13	15	1.1	10	1

This appeared to be a tactical decision on New York's part. 

"

@JeffRisdon Could tell the NYG spent the offseason working to stop the Lions run game

— Mork (@mork1215) September 10, 2014"

Their solid play even got mention from coach Tom Coughlin as a bright spot, as reported by Kieran Darcy of ESPN.com. 

Poor execution from Detroit's offense didn't help matters. One of the takeaways from reviewing the game several times was the poor blocking from new wide receiver Golden Tate. The prized free-agent signing from Seattle earned his money with his receiving prowess, but his blocking effort underwhelmed.

Tate received the only red mark from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) in its run-blocking grades. That helps explain all the positive green grades the Giants defensive backs earned in run support. 

This is a weakness the Lions surely knew about when they signed Tate. Last season, he finished 89th out of 111 qualifying wide receivers in blocking, again per PFF. Then again, he tied for that rank with the man he replaced in Detroit's lineup, Kris Durham. 

Losing starting right tackle LaAdrian Waddle on the first series of the game didn't help, either. Waddle was one of the league's better run-blockers as a rookie in 2013, finishing 28th out of 76 in PFF's rankings despite playing only half the season. 

Corey Hilliard played quite well in pass protection, but he has never been much of a force as a run-blocker. Worse, he played through a nasty foot injury, which landed him on injured reserve after the game. 

"

Looks like #Lions OL injuries are more serious than first believed. Corey Hilliard expected to miss the rest of the year with foot injury

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) September 10, 2014"

To Detroit's credit, the Lions did find more success running later in the game. While Reggie Bush never got it together, Bell responded well in the second half. 

On the Lions' 12-play, 80-yard drive in the fourth quarter, Bell finally found his footing. He had runs of eight and 12 yards, as well as the three-yard touchdown that iced the game. 

"

Smart use of Joique Bell in second half. Big back vs. a worn-down defense. #MNF

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 9, 2014"

Bell finished with 51 yards on 15 carries after netting just a yard per carry on six rushes in the first half. His last nine carries averaged five yards per attempt, which is the sort of production the Lions hope for in the run game. 

Given the tremendous success Matthew Stafford had in the opening rout, and considering the solid Giants run defense, there probably isn't much to worry about with the sputtering ground game in the opener.

Bell's solid finish despite playing behind a wounded line inspires some confidence that the Lions will bounce back just fine against Carolina. The Panthers allowed 102 yards on just 17 carries in Tampa Bay, including a 54-yard scamper by 258-pound fullback Jorvorskie Lane.

If he can gash out a big run against a pretty skilled Panthers front, Bush and Bell should rebound with a stronger and more productive outing in Week 2.