Detroit Lions: Will the Running Game Derail Playoff Hopes?

The Detroit Lions are 4-0 to start the 2011 NFL regular season.  They've accomplished this with a potent passing attack, a stifling defense and heroic comebacks.  However, the Lions have one glaring weakness.  Their running game.

Jahvid Best is the Detroit Lions' dynamic running back.  He is quick, elusive and highly effective catching passes out of the backfield.  To be sure, Best is a big part of the Detroit Lions' success this year.

That being said, Jahvid Best is not your prototypical NFL running back.  He is not a workhorse back that can carry the ball 20-25 times a game, and he does not run between the tackles particularly well.  Jahvid Best is a change-of-pace back.  His most successful plays are sweeps and screen passes, plays that utilize his speed and give him an open field to maneuver and make people miss.

Detroit's problem is that they don't have another running back that can be the "Thunder" to Jahvid Best's "Lightning".  Mikel Leshoure was supposed to be that back for the Lions.  However, he suffered an Achilles injury in preseason, and was lost for the year. 

The numbers aren't good so far.  Detroit's run game is ranked second to last at under three yards per carry, and fourth to last with 74 yards per game.  Amazing numbers for a team that is undefeated. 

But if there are major concerns about the running game, coach Jim Schwartz isn't admitting it.  Instead he chooses to focus on the positive.  He refers to the Lions' rushing attack as "efficient," and doesn't like to focus on total yardage.  He points to key situations in which the Lions have been able to get yards on the ground when they've needed to. 

On the game-winning drive against Dallas, Jahvid Best got two consecutive first downs rushing the ball. 

The Lions also claimed Keiland Williams on waivers from the Washington Redskins prior to the Dallas game.  Williams is a running back almost identical in size to Mikel Leshoure.  So the Lions are hoping he will fit their needs to a tee and provide the short-yardage success that they've missed.

Can the Lions make the playoffs if their running game doesn't improve?  Maybe.  As we all know, a good passing game opens up the running game, and their passing attack is arguably the most dangerous in the NFL today.  They have enough weapons on offense to make up for a deficiency in any one area.  

What's encouraging is that the Detroit Lions are committed to improving the running game, and are not satisfied with the status quo. They will make the necessary adjustments.  If the last two wins are any indication, the Detroit Lions are rather adept at making adjustments.