What's causing running game woes

[boogerlovejoy]

The difference in average wins for a team that is in the top half of the league for rushing and the bottom half of the league for rushing is less than 1 game. So a top rushing team gets you about 5% chance more at winning a game, so every 20 games you may win 1 more if you have a top running team.

I believe there's a bigger connection between good defense and winning than a running game and winning.

A good running game helps, though.

 

[Tonyballs2]

The difference in average wins for a team that is in the top half of the league for rushing and the bottom half of the league for rushing is less than 1 game. So a top rushing team gets you about 5% chance more at winning a game, so every 20 games you may win 1 more if you have a top running team.

You're not getting it. Life is easier for a QB with a running game. Proof is in the pudding with this yrs teams. Look at the Jags and Rams. Look at the Cowboys without Zeke. Morris finally goes over a 100+ and they destroy Washington. Look at the Packers all of a sudden! They found a RB in Williams and now they're playing better. It's not rocket science. You find a running game and your chances of success increase. Open your fkn eyes!!! There's no fear of our RBs. None!! Focus on #9. Stop him and you'll win. We got YAC tho lol...Jesus Christ do we ever lol

 

[brewer229]

You're not getting it. Life is easier for a QB with a running game. Proof is in the pudding with this yrs teams. Look at the Jags and Rams. Look at the Cowboys without Zeke. Morris finally goes over a 100+ and they destroy Washington. Look at the Packers all of a sudden! They found a RB in Williams and now they're playing better. It's not rocket science. You find a running game and your chances of success increase. Open your fkn eyes!!!

Of course it is easier. Anything other people do makes it easier on the QB.

You can find examples to counter anything. Seattle won a game this year 41-38 in which the RBs had 3 yards on 17 carries (.17 YPC). and they still put up 41 points (34 from the offense).

It needs to stop being an excuse. Lack of running game doesn't cause poor throws. Lack of running game doesn't cause drops. Lack of running game doesn't cause poor decisions. Lack of running game doesn't cause fumbles.

Lets give a list of RBs that average a 100 yards a game:
/end of list

 

[LKP]

Lack of running game leads to less TD opportunities
Lack of running game leads to stupid fucking down and distances where the opposing pass rush has more time
Lack of run game leads to less first downs which leads to less chances for the QB to complete passes
Lack of running game, especially the super duper lack of running game Stafford gets, means Stafford needs to be near perfect every game
Lack of running game leads to more attempt which leads to more int opportunities too. 10 ints in 650 attempts is different than 10 ints 550 attempts


Run game and QB rating are tied. As are other factors


You can have a good QB rating without a run game. But it is much fucking harder then

 

[Tonyballs2]

Of course it is easier. Anything other people do makes it easier on the QB.

You can find examples to counter anything. Seattle won a game this year 41-38 in which the RBs had 3 yards on 17 carries (.17 YPC). and they still put up 41 points (34 from the offense).

It needs to stop being an excuse. Lack of running game doesn't cause poor throws. Lack of running game doesn't cause drops. Lack of running game doesn't cause poor decisions. Lack of running game doesn't cause fumbles.

Lets give a list of RBs that average a 100 yards a game:
/end of list

Holy fuck you're stupid lol. Who's talking about averaging a 100 yds a game??? Wtf!!! You have obviously never in.your life sniffed a football field when you were younger. Am I right? You have to be the most clueless guy ever. Wow

 

[LKP]

The average for teams in 100 yards per game. The Lions are well well well below that average

 

[UMRules06]

To me the run game certainly has not helped matters, but the more glaring difference between the start of the season and the Lions play as of late is turnovers. It was questioned during the great start to the season whether or not we could sustain the high takeaway rate. They were a major contributor to those early wins.

Unfortunately those fears have come to fruition. Without those takeaways it's been more difficult to take control of the game for us.

 

[LKP]

To me the run game certainly has not helped matters, but the more glaring difference between the start of the season and the Lions play as of late is turnovers. It was questioned during the great start to the season whether or not we could sustain the high takeaway rate. They were a major contributor to those early wins.

Unfortunately those fears have come to fruition. Without those takeaways it's been more difficult to take control of the game for us.

Packers didn't get turnovers. Browns and Bears they did get big ones.

The problem was turned it over twice against Vikings and three times against Ravens (fumble, Stafford pick, Rudock pick) among other things

 

[grandy]

To me the run game certainly has not helped matters, but the more glaring difference between the start of the season and the Lions play as of late is turnovers. It was questioned during the great start to the season whether or not we could sustain the high takeaway rate. They were a major contributor to those early wins.

Unfortunately those fears have come to fruition. Without those takeaways it's been more difficult to take control of the game for us.

I brought it up briefly in the Minnesota thread and I agree that it?s been an important factor in their losses lately.

Looking back on what I said in the last Minnesota game thread, here's the turnover differentials since:

Carolina -1
New Orleans -2
Pittsburgh +1
Green Bay -1
Cleveland +1
Chicago 0
Minnesota -2

They've fallen to +5 overall or +0.45/game.

Carolina -1, lost within 1 score
NO -2, lost by 2 scores
Pittsburgh +1, lost within 1 score <? only exception
GB -1, won by 2 scores
Cleveland +1, won by 2 scores
Chicago 0, won within 1 score
Minnesota -2, lost by 1 score

Haven?t even delved into points off turnovers, but it?s obvious these mistakes matter and could easily be seen as the difference between a win and loss.

 

[LKP]

It's not the lack of forced. It's the multiple Lions turnovers the last two weeks. Vikings and Ravens are good Ds that force turnovers. Plus Lions Oline and RB injuries and now Stafford injury (Rudock pick)


The Dline being hurt is a huge reason for lack of turnovers too


Lions can avoid turnovers the rest of the year against Bucs, Bears, Bengals and Packers. Lions can force turnovers against those teams too

 

[UMRules06]

It's not the lack of forced. It's the multiple Lions turnovers the last two weeks. Vikings and Ravens are good Ds that force turnovers. Plus Lions Oline and RB injuries and now Stafford injury (Rudock pick)


The Dline being hurt is a huge reason for lack of turnovers too


Lions can avoid turnovers the rest of the year against Bucs, Bears, Bengals and Packers. Lions can force turnovers against those teams too

Call it turnover margin then. In any case, it's been a huge factor.

 

[LKP]

Call it turnover margin then. In any case, it's been a huge factor.

But Lions should have the advantage in the final 4 games. Ansah and Lang practice today. Stafford looking good in practice. Trending right way

Finish strong

 

[mhughes0021]

You're not getting it. Life is easier for a QB with a running game. Proof is in the pudding with this yrs teams. Look at the Jags and Rams. Look at the Cowboys without Zeke. Morris finally goes over a 100+ and they destroy Washington. Look at the Packers all of a sudden! They found a RB in Williams and now they're playing better. It's not rocket science. You find a running game and your chances of success increase. Open your fkn eyes!!! There's no fear of our RBs. None!! Focus on #9. Stop him and you'll win. We got YAC tho lol...Jesus Christ do we ever lol

I think he threw for like 90 yards in that win? They didn't win cause of run game... they won because the other team sucked.

 

[mhughes0021]

98 rating is good and Lions are 5th in PPG. Stafford got short fields this year (not recently though with lack of turnovers and no Agnew) and less drops. No run game though worse than prior years actually.


Let's see if the finger injury affects that in the final 4 games. The ankle injury definitely hurt him with a 3 int game with 12 tipped passes because he couldn't move. And his pass pro wasn't good this year with the injuries to the Lions oline for almost every linemen.


Stafford is an elite QB. Lions need health and the D to step up


2011-2016 Stafford had the worst combo for any QB of drops, rushing support and short fields. This can't be disputed. It's a fact.


2012/2013 major weapon injuries all over the place. Lack of short fields. Weapon caused turnovers. Not much run game in 2012 in yards.


Even the 2013 season was average in rush yards not even a great run game. They were still 22nd in YPC. 2013 had other problems in no short fields, weapon caused turnovers and weapon injuries (lots of Kris Durham)


The 2017 Lions gave him short fields, less drops and healthy weapons (other than Golladay). And despite an ankle injury for a terrible game, Stafford is playing really well with a good rating. Imagine if he had an average run game right now or average pass protection.

Stafford is elite at yards. We're top 10 offense this year... Run game or not... top 10. Stafford can't finish. Whether it be 3rd down conversions or red zone offense. He is the between the 30s champion. And as of late he's giving the ball away to much.... putting the defense in impossible situations.

 

[LKP]

Stafford is elite at yards. We're top 10 offense this year... Run game or not... top 10. Stafford can't finish. Whether it be 3rd down conversions or red zone offense. He is the between the 30s champion. And as of late he's giving the ball away to much.... putting the defense in impossible situations.

The injured Oline can't finish. Pressure the reason for turnovers, not Stafford

I'd say maybe one or two ints are his fault this year.

 

[Mitchrapp]

The injured Oline can't finish. Pressure the reason for turnovers, not Stafford

I'd say maybe one or two ints are his fault this year.

It's the times he sees the defense coming at him and can't secure the ball.. Fumble. That's on him. How hard is to fall down and hang on to the ball.

 

[LKP]

It's the times he sees the defense coming at him and can't secure the ball.. Fumble. That's on him. How hard is to fall down and hang on to the ball.

Most were crushing blindside. Can't see that coming

But that brings up a point. Lions have a terrible lucky with the bounces of fumbles on offense. Recovered like one fumble all year that we put on the ground. That should even out

 

[Mitchrapp]

The Lions aren't unlucky they're stupid..

 

[tomdalton22]

The Lions aren't unlucky they're stupid..

that was the funniest / dumbest thing I have seen a player do. Karma's a bitch!

 

[Tonyballs2]

I think he threw for like 90 yards in that win? They didn't win cause of run game... they won because the other team sucked.

That's my fkn point!!! You're talking about the Cowboys/Redskins game I assume? Prescott threw for barely over 100 yds. He didn't have to do anything!!!! lol. Morris ran all over the Skins that game. That makes life much more easier for QBs when the pressure is off. Good run game and solid D. TWO things we do not have....