Here's how the Lions offense can bounce back big against the Cardinals, Ben Johnson needs to attack this spot
The Detroit Lions offense has been weird so far this year. They've been really good until they get to the red zone. The Lions are currently second in the NFL in total yards. They're moving down the field, they just need to get into the end zone. Here's how they can do that against the […]
The Detroit Lions offense has been weird so far this year. They've been really good until they get to the red zone. The Lions are currently second in the NFL in total yards. They're moving down the field, they just need to get into the end zone. Here's how they can do that against the Cardinals.
For starters, the Cardinals defense isn't that great in the red zone. They're currently 11th in red zone scoring percentage allowed. That's against the Bills and the MASH unit that is the Rams. The Cardinals are allowing touchdowns 56% of the time. The Lions are doing it 42% of the time for those that are curious.
Let's dig a little deeper though. Here's where the Lions can really hurt the Cardinals and where Sam LaPorta can have a big night. The Cardinals' weak point is over the middle against the linebackers.
Starting linebacker Kyzir White has been a problem for the Cardinals. He's allowed eight receptions for 142 yards on 10 targets this year. That's the most allowed for all linebackers in the NFL right now. The Cardinals also have a super young middle linebacker situation that features Mack Wilson, who is a full time starter for the first time since his rookie year in 2019, and second year man Owen Pappoe.
Ben Johnson should be looking to attack this level all day long with LaPorta and Gibbs over the middle. This could be the key to moving down field. Where Gibbs can hurt the Cardinals is in the YAC game game. The Cards have allowed 233 yards after the catch this season. 115 of those yards came against the Cardinals linebackers.
From a run defense standpoint, White is struggling there too. He has two missed tackles. It's hard to judge the Cardinals run stopping right now becasue it's been two games and both were wildly different.
The Bills racked up 130 yards and two touchdowns, but the Rams abandoned the run super early because they were getting beat down. Plus they essentially have no offensive line right now since everyone is hurt. The Lions have a better group than both of those teams. It should be interesting to see what can happen there. If the Lions can continue to run the ball well and hit the Cardinals at that second level, they can rack up yards and control time of possession.
The other area the Cardinals are having some trouble in is the safety spot. Both Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson haven't been playing super well though the first two games. Thompson has been targeted six times and has allowed six catches. Baker is not looking like the All-Pro he was not long ago.
Sam LaPorta is going through hell every time the Lions play in the red zone
We'll reflect on the Detroit Lions loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this last time and then it's time to turn the page. It was a rough one. We've all established that. The biggest problem the Lions had in this game was getting it done in the red zone. We've heard many reasons why from […]
