Detroit Lions: Why Having a Running Game Might Not Be so Bad

For as long as I can remember, I have been hearing the same thing when it comes to football: You need a running game in order to win.

My favorite Michigan teams in my lifetime were always built to run the ball and stop the run on defense.

But a funny thing happened over the years. In the NFL, the run became less and less important.

There are a number of reasons for this. One is the constant rule changes that have opened up the passing game and protected the quarterback. Another is the development of the short passing game that essentially acts as a running game. Heck, one reason may be the development of John Madden Football and a new generation of coaches that were raised on the game and the desire to make the big play.

Whatever the reason, teams just don't need to run the ball like they used to.

Take a look at last year. The Lions, like almost all fans would agree, were anemic running the football. They ranked No. 22 in the league. But look at the teams around them. Chicago and Green Bay had nearly identical rushing numbers, but both made the conference championship and the Packers won it all.

The year before that, the Colts were the worst team in football at running the ball, a full 20 yards fewer per game than Detroit, and they went to the Super Bowl.

The year before that, Arizona was by far the worst in the league running the ball, but they went to the Super Bowl.

Running games just don't matter like they used to.

Sure, there are exceptions. Two years ago, New Orleans was a top-10 rushing team and won it all, and Pittsburgh is always a strong running team and they have been in two of the last three Super Bowls.

But this just shows that running games are not essential, something that was beaten into our brains from the time we were kids.

We were taught that you need a running game to chew up the clock, impose your will on offense, and keep the other offense off the field.

But now, there is a new mind set. Basically, you build your offense as a quick strike group that is capable of running up the score in a minute's notice. This has the same demoralizing effect as the methodical running game, and actually saves more time for you to do it again.This has the dual benefit of taking away your opponent's running game since they now have to score to keep up.

But what about your defense? They will start to get gassed, right?

Wrong. Today's defensive players are in better shape than they have ever been in, and can take a full game's pounding. But for good measure, teams are going more and more to deeper rotations at the positions where their players are more apt to wear out, such as cornerback and defensive tackle.

The Lions are no exception to this, employing one of the deepest, physically fit defensive units in all of football.

So while a running game would be nice, it is by no means essential.

This Lions team can keep winning even without a high powered running attack.