Detroit Lions vs. Oakland Raiders: 7 Keys to Stopping Oakland's Run Game

For the Detroit Lions, the playoffs basically start now.

They've guaranteed at least a .500 record for the first time in a decade, and they control their own playoff fate. And while they're far from a single-elimination situation, it's hard to argue that any loss in the Lions' last three games will be almost cataclysmic to their playoff hopes.

Of course, the Oakland Raiders are effectively in the same position. With their skid, and the Denver Broncos' improbable run, the Raiders now find themselves on the outside looking in.

With both teams facing a must-win situation, each is likely to fall back to their team strength. And if we're talking about the Raiders' team strength, we're talking about the Raiders' running game.

With all due respect to Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer (and at this point, how much respect is due?), if the Raiders can't run, the Raiders can't win.

So what do the Lions do to stop it, guarantee a winning season, and step closer to the playoffs?

Actually Pay Attention to It

Sometimes, it looks like the Lions' game plan for stopping the run is watching the running back break into the second level and then saying, "Aww, shucks."

I know the Lions play the run on the way to the pass, but sometimes I wonder if they do even that much. Toby Gerhart piled up 90 yards on the Lions, and barely ever had to change directions.

It's not all doom and gloom, though. Carson Palmer is not Joe Webb, so that's one less rushing threat to account for. But then, Michael Bush isn't Toby Gerhart, either. Bush has more tools and more talent, and the Oakland Raiders have, all considered, a more cohesive offense (if only slightly).

The Lions aren't going to be able to stop this rushing attack by just hoping to bump guys on the way to Palmer. They're going to have to actually game-plan and focus on the run to force the Raiders out of their game plan.

Cliff Avril Must Continue to Improve

Last week, I pointed out that Lions defensive end Cliff Avril did a much better job of breaking down and redirecting the ball carrier in the backfield. He's not exactly a premier run-stopper at this point, but he doesn't appear to be a liability as he was earlier in his career.

Now, Avril's job is still to get after the quarterback, and he's doing that. He is already at career highs with nine sacks and six forced fumbles.

But if he can continue to round into a complete player by improving his play-reading ability and run-stopping, he should be a major asset against the Raiders.

Unfortunately, he's also making himself a much richer man (possibly with another team) with every dominant performance he gives.

Stay out of the Wide Nine

I know I've said this before, but the wide-nine defensive look isn't a cure-all for every situation.

As you can see here, it certainly helps the defensive ends to get a better angle at the quarterback. And that's great, but it sacrifices a whole lot of space up the middle as a result, and makes it easy for running backs to break.

For the first few weeks of the season, the amount of havoc the Lions were bringing to opposing quarterbacks offset the yardage given up on the ground. But San Francisco exploited it and built a victory off of it, and Oakland is likely to follow that same template.

Now, I'm not saying the Lions can't use the wide-nine. But as I've said in the past, I don't know about it as a base defense.

Maybe close those gaps up on 1st-and-10, force the offense into second or third-and-8, and shift into it on more traditional passing downs.

A Fresh Ndamukong Suh

Don't let me tell you that Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh's apparent lack of discipline is a good thing. It's not, and I hope he has found some answers during his suspension.

But now that he's back, and the Lions were (at least in terms of wins and losses) no worse for wear without him, Suh should come back very fresh. He wasn't rehabbing from injury, so it's essentially like he got a couple of extra "bye weeks" to prepare for the stretch run.

Considering that there isn't a single player on the team facing the same physical demands Suh is (anyone else have to fight through about 650 pounds of aggressive human being on every snap?), this could be just what the Lions need right now.

We haven't talked about it very much, but the fact is, teams have done a much better job of neutralizing Suh this year, and it started to look like it was wearing him down.

Now Suh has had two weeks to cool his jets and recharge his engines. He should be ready to make a big impact in this game against a shaky offensive line.

For the Record, Darren McFadden Is Out

This isn't something the Lions have to "do" in this game, but it is a "key" to the game.

Nothing against Michael Bush, who has been impressive in McFadden's absence, but the Raiders' rushing game is a whole lot less intimidating without both Bush and McFadden in the backfield.

Now, Bush has been a workhorse for the Raiders, and I have a lot of respect for him. But the Raiders are going to try to key their whole offense with the running game, and Bush can be worn down.

Every carry Bush has where he has to gut his way through four tackles for three yards is just that much less energy he has for the rest of the game.

If the Raiders were spelling McFadden with Bush, depth would be a non-issue. But they have to spell Bush with Rock Cartwright. That makes depth an issue, and if we're talking about the Lions' defensive depth against the Raiders' depth at running back, I think we know who wins that one.

Take an Early Lead (and Hold It)

Simple football fundamentals. When you're facing a big hole, you have to start passing.

The Lions did it last week against Minnesota, and they were able to force the Vikings out of their game plan. The result was five turnovers and near-complete control of the game.

Of course, the Lions then let up and allowed Vikings quarterback Joe Webb in, who ultimately gashed the Lions' run defense. But at least for one half, the Lions dominated the game because they were able to take an early lead and dictate the tempo.

This might be easier said than done, of course. The Lions have not exactly made a reputation for fast starts in games this season. But if they can grab an early two-possession lead and force the Raiders to beat them with the passing game, the Lions will be in control.

That is, of course, assuming they don't pull Palmer for Terrelle Pryor and...well, you know.

Two Words: Fundamental Tackling

This is an easy one, and shouldn't need to be said. But Joe Webb had over 100 yards on seven carries last week, and Toby Gerhart ran through a bunch of half-hearted tackle attempts on the way to his 90 yards.

The Lions might have had more missed tackles last week than they had, you know, TACKLES.

I've been lauding Cliff Avril just for laying a hand on guys in the backfield, but I don't think he actually brought down a single one of the running backs he was trying to corner.

But it's not just Avril's fault. Missed tackles have quietly been an issue on every level for most of the season, whether it's Avril whiffing on a running back, DeAndre Levy getting stiff-armed or Delmas going for the big hit when he should just wrap up.

This is a fundamental thing, and the tackling this year is much improved over last year, without question. But it's time for the Lions to prove they belong with the big kids of the NFL. "Improved" isn't good enough anymore.