What Detroit Lions Must Improve Most Coming out of Week 9 Bye
Midway through the season, the Detroit Lions are 6-2, but that record masks a few problems that need to be fixed.
However, the defense is going to be left alone.
Like a television show with a great creative team, it's best for the suits to limit their notes. So I only leave defensive coordinator Teryl Austin with one: Don't rely too much on the vanilla four-man rush with zone coverage behind it.
That's the only place this defense generally gets killed, with crossing patterns between the linebackers and safeties.
I had to give the defense one suggestion. That's how I justify my job.
As for the rest of you miscreants (offense), prepare for the peppering.
Health
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Many writers, including this one, noted that the Lions had been extremely lucky in the preseason. They didn't suffer any major injuries aside from Kyle Van Noy's hernia.
That preseason iceberg of health has been whittled away by the tide of the first eight games, leaving Detroit without the services of nearly half of its offensive contributors in Week 8.
Detroit's ability to win without its best player for essentially five games is a credit to the coaching staff, Matthew Stafford and Golden Tate. But it bears mentioning that Detroit's first-half opponents have a collective record of just 26-36-1.
The sledding will be much tougher in the second half. The Lions' final eight games are against opponents with a collective 31-30 record and include four contests against teams with winning records.
Detroit has the talent to hang with the tougher teams. However, if that talent isn't on the field, the Lions will continue to drag in the key areas left to be highlighted here.
Small-Level Focus
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A theme that ran throughout Detroit's late-season collapse was a lack of small-level focus. The players weren't locking down their responsibilities, and that sloppiness cost them wins.
Things have been better in 2014 under head coach Jim Caldwell, especially at the quarterback position. However, there are plenty of areas that need to be cleaned up before the competition stiffens.
For starters, the Lions are averaging 6.8 penalties in 2014, per Team Rankings. That's exactly 0.1 fewer per game than last year.
The price of penalties is usually an entire drive for an offense or a new set of downs when on defense.
One shining example was Dominic Raiola's holding penalty that killed Detroit's first drive against the Atlanta Falcons. If the veteran center doesn't wipe out Theo Riddick's eight-yard run and put the Lions in a 1st-and-20 situation, that game might not have required a 21-point comeback.
Additionally, the field-goal team as a whole could use better execution. Holder Sam Martin has been bobbling snaps from slightly errant Don Muhlbach, which doesn't help Matt Prater shake off the shanks. The team has the worst field-goal percentage in the league (47.4).
There isn't a lot that can be done about health, but there isn't an excuse for undisciplined play. It's time for Caldwell's environment of accountability to pay dividends.
Offensive Efficiency
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While the defense has been superb on the scoreboard, the offense has struggled. In fact, its 20.3 points per game ranks 25th.
The biggest bugaboo has been the red-zone offense. When Detroit gets in a goal-to-go situation, it's registering a touchdown on just 60 percent of its opportunities. That's the sixth-worst mark in the league.
That output can be excused a bit. Matthew Stafford has missed the best high-point receiver in the league (ask the Cincinnati Bengals), and tight end Joseph Fauria scored seven touchdowns in his rookie campaign by virtue of his 6'7" height and soft hands.
Plus, Brandon Pettigrew does a nice job using his wide body to box out defenders to create space for scoring strikes.
With all three back and the athletically gifted Eric Ebron's continued education, the red-zone troubles should subside.
Hopefully, those four can help in another area—dropped passes.
The Lions are second-worst in the league with 20 drops, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Accuracy plays a role here, but not putting the ball away is a problem for this receiving corps.
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Better Running Back Production
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We only discussed the passing game in regard to the offense's lack of point production. The reasoning was simple.
Detroit can move the ball through the air. Regardless of who is catching the ball (or not), Matthew Stafford is still the league's fifth-leading passer yardage-wise.
The running game, however, has been the passing game's little brother with asthma and a pocket protector. It rarely makes an appearance—or an impact—in the game.
The trio of Reggie Bush, Joique Bell and Theo Riddick inspired heightened preseason expectations. So far, they've collectively produced the worst rushing average (3.06 YPC) in the NFL.
Bush looks like he's lost a step, resulting in an entire lost yard on his average from 2013 (3.5 to 4.5). Unfortunately, Bell hasn't been able to muster enough yards after contact to sustain runs past his 3.2-yard average.
The key moving forward may be the youngster, Riddick. His 11.5-yard reception average has been highlighted by speed and vision after the catch. The division of snaps, carries and targets will be a point of debate for the next eight weeks.
Offensive Line
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Now, we bring everything full circle.
The first two slides feed into the offensive line's poor performance. However, a rejuvenated effort up front will invigorate the running and scoring game.
The lack of rushing production can't be blamed entirely on the backfield. The offensive line fails to get any push at the point of attack and often has trouble fighting to a stalemate.
That's how a team manages just 79.6 yards per game.
This unit was a strength last year. It could be the new scheme or LaAdrian Waddle's consistent injuries, but nothing has clicked.
Additionally, Detroit has given up the third-most sacks (24) at the halfway point.
The main issue is a lack of communication. When an opposing team stunts, the guard and/or tackle will make the initial jab at the defender and then pass him off to no one. It's a credit to Matthew Stafford that he keeps getting up.
The extra week of rest will give the unit a chance to get healthy and on the same page. All of the wide receivers and tight ends in the world won't matter if the big boys up front don't get it together.
Brandon Alisoglu is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist who has written about the Lions on multiple sites. He also co-hosts a Lions-centric podcast, Lions Central Radio. Yell at him on Twitter about how wrong he is @BrandonAlisoglu.
All advanced stats, grades and positional rankings are courtesy of Pro Football Focus and require a subscription.
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