Offense Continues Holding Back Lions from Legitimately Contending in NFC

The Detroit Lions must face a harsh reality following Sunday's 14-6 defeat to the one-loss Arizona Cardinals. 

An offense that was once capable of any kind of unimaginable numbers is now holding back the Lions from being serious contenders in the top-heavy NFC. 

Detroit was borderline uncompetitive on offense in Arizona, entering the red zone just once on 10 possessions and failing to score a touchdown for the first time since 2009.

The Lions gained more than 50 yards on just one drive, managed only 11 total first downs and had as many scoring drives (two) as three-and-outs.

Throw in a Matthew Stafford interception, a 33 percent conversion rate on third down and a failed fourth down late in the final quarter, and the Lions will head back to Detroit in search of answers on the offensive side of the football. 

"It's one week," Stafford told reporters. "We have to find a way to come back and get better."

However, the struggles extend much further than just one week. 

	Opponent	Points
Week 1	vs. NYG	35
Week 2	at CAR	7
Week 3	vs. GB	19
Week 4	at NYJ	24
Week 5	vs. BUF	14
Week 6	at MIN	17
Week 7	vs. NO	24
Week 8	at ATL	22
Week 10	vs. MIA	20
Week 11	at ARI	6

The Lions haven't scored more than 24 points since Week 1. In fact, since scoring 35 against the New York Giants in the season opener, Detroit has averaged just 17.0 points per game, with two finishes under 10 points and only four of nine at or over 20. 

The Lions have survived through the offensive up-and-downs because of a dominant defense. And Detroit's stronger unit was the team's backbone once again Sunday, despite allowing back-to-back touchdowns from former Lions quarterback Drew Stanton to Michael Floyd to open the game.

After jumping out to a 14-0 lead, the Cardinals ended their next nine possessions with two interceptions, five punts and two end-of-half situations. 

The Lions allowed just 14 points, which is usually good enough to win in the modern, score-happy NFL. It comes as no surprise that Detroit entered the game 3-0 in games in which they allowed 14 or fewer points this season. 

Of course, the Cardinals are also no slouch on defense. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles has tied together a group otherwise beset by injuries and personnel subtractions.

Arizona came into Week 11 allowing just 17.0 points per contest over four previous home games. That's still no excuse for failing to put a competitive performance on the field. 

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

To hold off the surging Green Bay Packers and keep hold of a top seed in the NFC, the Lions have to find a way to come together on offense. And fast.

Looming games against the New England Patriots (next Sunday) and Packers (Week 17 at Lambeau Field) will demand that Detroit scores points. The Lions can't expect to go on the road to New England or Green Bay and win a defensive battle, especially with the way quarterbacks Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers have played at home this season.

Scoring 17 or fewer points in either locale will almost certainly guarantee a loss. 

Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi simply has too much talent at his disposal. Difference-makers ooze out of every position group. Yet Detroit could only manage to get 59 yards out of Calvin Johnson, two catches from Golden Tate and 183 passing yards from Stafford Sunday in Arizona. 

Meanwhile, the Cardinals manufactured a 300-yard passing day from Stanton with completions to 10 different receivers. 

	Cmp/Att	Yards	TD/INT	Passer Rating
Sunday	18/30	183	0/1	63.6

Stafford was especially erratic. He averaged just 6.1 yards per attempt, tossed an interception on a third-and-long in the first half and threw high on fourth down late in the fourth quarter. He also probably should have thrown a pick-six to Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers before halftime. 

Johnson was targeted 12 times with only five completions, while Tate's two catches for 41 yards both represented new season lows. Overall, the Lions had just two completions over 20 yards. 

The offensive line remained at the center of the problems, allowing four sacks and never really allowing Stafford to get into a rhythm inside the pocket. 

At least the Lions avoided providing excuses, per Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site: 

How the Lions finish the 2014 season will likely depend on whether or not the offense can stop the slide. 

Home games against the Bears, Vikings and Buccaneers and a winnable road game in Chicago provide a real opportunity for Detroit to find the three wins needed to get to at least 10-6. The Lions might be able to ride the defense over that four-game stretch and still sneak into the postseason. 

But nothing is for certain when an offense is as shaky and unreliable as Detroit's is right now, and there's no conceivable way the Lions would win showdowns with the Patriots or Packers without something better from that side of the football. 

There's no reason to reach for the panic button after just one game, especially with the team's record at 7-3. There's also no shame in losing in Arizona.

But there is reason to worry about an offense that has been nothing short of average over the first 10 games of the season.

The Lions are still in good shape in terms of qualifying for the postseason. Yet all that could change in a hurry if the offense doesn't snap out of its season-long funk. 

Zach Kruse covers the NFC North for Bleacher Report. 

Follow @zachkruse2