Can the team rectify these two key metrics in the trence
The 2024 Detroit Lions had one thing squared away that helped them to achieve a 15-2 record despite a plethora of injuries completely ransacking their depth: strength in their trenches.
Their offensive line was one of the best in the NFL, providing a clean pocket to Jared Goff while allowing Jahmyr Gibbs to go off in David Montgomery’s absence. On the flip side, their defensive line made do with Za’Darius Smith in tow, doing their best to re-create a pass rush without Aidan Hutchinson healthy and available.
This year, it’s been a completely different story for both units, and it’s why fans could be concerned for the Lions’ chances to extend a postseason run this year. One stat shared by MLive beat reporter Kory Woods tells the story when it comes to the offensive line’s struggles this season:
The defensive line, in contrast, is only reaching the quarterback for a sack an average of 5.2 seconds after the ball has been snapped. That’s the longest rate amongst any teams in the NFL. Without a pass rush, and without a decent enough pass protection to allow for Goff to carry some responsibility for this Lions offense, the team risks being one and done in the postseason.
Lions have to hope trenches solidify ahead of postseason
We’ve seen the struggles the Lions experience against teams with above-average defensive lines. Week 1 was an immediate introduction to these struggles, with Detroit completely run over by Rashan Gary and Micah Parsons. It was only Week 1, and it was the first regular season game featuring a brand-new center and guard formation for Detroit, so it felt like it could be a one off.
But then, those struggles continued against the Minnesota Vikings, and then the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s now clear that their O-line’s problems lie in the hands of Hank Fraley and Detroit’s starting guard-center-guard formation for their final six contests. Of course, getting Frank Ragnow to un-retire helps the team significantly on that front.
Goff has expressed faith in their ability to get it together, telling reporters ahead of Thanksgiving, “They’re just gonna put their head down and work, and I’m proud of those guys, and thankful for them for laying it on the line for me, and for the running backs every game.”
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As for the pass rush, it’s a matter of health. Hutchinson has been great this season, but there’s only so much one explosive edge rusher can do when he’s being chipped and double-teamed each week. Without help from Al-Quadin Muhammad coming consistently each week, the team hasn’t been able to generate many rushes on the quarterback.
Marcus Davenport, the oft-injured pass rusher the Lions opted to trust over trading for someone or signing another pass rusher this offseason, is set to return in Week 12 for the Lions against the Packers. This could help out a ton – getting fresh legs to back up Hutchinson in the trenches.
We’ll get a great idea of just how much the Lions will improve on both lines over these next few weeks, with the team squaring off with the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Minnesota Vikings to round out their 2025: four teams with either formidable pass rushing units, or at least one pass rushing star.
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