The Detroit Lions' system failed to deliver a consistent performance throughout the season, ultimately leading to their fourth-place finish in the NFC North. Despite starting with a loss and then erupting against the Chicago Bears, the team's overall strategy was unable to sustain its high level of play. The problem lay not only in injuries but also in the inability to protect Jared Goff consistently, allowing the defense to struggle.
When the run game stopped being a foundation, Detroit struggled to find its footing. The Lions' offense relied heavily on timing and sequencing, which was disrupted by changes in the coaching staff. Taylor Decker's comments about playing through pain and constant treatment highlighted the physical toll of his season, affecting the team's ability to protect Goff.
The defense also struggled, regressing from seventh in scoring defense last season to 23rd this year. The Lions allowed an average of 24.8 points per game, a significant increase from their previous year. While Aidan Hutchinson showed flashes of brilliance late in the season, the team's overall pass rush was inconsistent.
The season slipped away due to Detroit's inability to consistently play its designed system. With nine wins and eight losses, the Lions started the year thinking they were built for bigger things. However, their fragile system allowed them to struggle when injuries occurred or the script went sideways.
For improvement, the Lions need a healthier and deeper offensive line plan that does not collapse when key veterans are compromised. They also require more reliable pressure creation, both in terms of personnel and scheme. A run game foundation is crucial for maintaining an identity, as the team has shown in the past when it can control games on the ground.
Ultimately, the Lions' system is fragile, and this fragility will be punished by the NFL over 17 weeks. The next step is to admit that their system needs adaptation and build a plan that survives the challenges of the season.
When the run game stopped being a foundation, Detroit struggled to find its footing. The Lions' offense relied heavily on timing and sequencing, which was disrupted by changes in the coaching staff. Taylor Decker's comments about playing through pain and constant treatment highlighted the physical toll of his season, affecting the team's ability to protect Goff.
The defense also struggled, regressing from seventh in scoring defense last season to 23rd this year. The Lions allowed an average of 24.8 points per game, a significant increase from their previous year. While Aidan Hutchinson showed flashes of brilliance late in the season, the team's overall pass rush was inconsistent.
The season slipped away due to Detroit's inability to consistently play its designed system. With nine wins and eight losses, the Lions started the year thinking they were built for bigger things. However, their fragile system allowed them to struggle when injuries occurred or the script went sideways.
For improvement, the Lions need a healthier and deeper offensive line plan that does not collapse when key veterans are compromised. They also require more reliable pressure creation, both in terms of personnel and scheme. A run game foundation is crucial for maintaining an identity, as the team has shown in the past when it can control games on the ground.
Ultimately, the Lions' system is fragile, and this fragility will be punished by the NFL over 17 weeks. The next step is to admit that their system needs adaptation and build a plan that survives the challenges of the season.
I think the main issue for the Lions was their inability to stay consistent. One week they're on fire, the next they're getting torn apart 
. They need to find a way to make their system work without relying too much on timing and sequencing. Maybe it's time to mix things up and try some new plays? 
. The defense struggled when the run game wasn't there, but at least that's a solid foundation 
. They need to get their pass rush back on track and find ways to protect Goff better 
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. It's time for some serious changes if they want to make a real push for the playoffs 
. I mean, 8 wins out of 17 games is not bad, but 4th place in the NFC North is like, what? 
if they can't protect goff consistently or create pressure, the whole thing falls apart 
also, i feel like their run game was a joke this year 
it's all about finding that balance and consistency on offense 
. They can't just rely on one player or one aspect of their game to carry them through. They need to find a way to create more pressure and control games on the ground. Fingers crossed for next year! 
, the Lions thought they were gonna run all over the league with Decker's pain-filled plays 
, but nope! They couldn't even protect Goff without him crying like a baby 
, 23rd in scoring defense? That's like trying to solve a math problem blindfolded 
.
its like they didnt even learn from last year's struggles. all those injuries just highlighted how weak their o-line is and goff gets sacked like crazy... and dont even get me started on that run game, it was basically non existent this year 
. Their run game was nonexistent, and when it stopped being reliable, they struggled to find their footing 
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and when injuries hit or timing goes off 
it all falls apart 
Jared Goff takes a beating every week 
and their defense is just straight trash 
8 more losses to go before the season's over 
. And yeah, Jared Goff getting hurt wasn't helping, but I think the real issue is that they never really had a solid game plan to begin with 
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