Notebook: Lions Understand 'What's Killing Us' in Red Zone

Detroit Lions understand how to improve offensively.

The Detroit Lions understand what has ailed the offense, namely in the red zone this season. 

Coming off of a season last year in which the efficiency in the red zone was stellar, the Lions have stumbled this year. This year, the team ranks 24th in red zone touchdown percentage. A season ago, they were fourth.

The coaching staff expressed after the bye week, the offense has been been plagued with penalties, missed assignments in the red zone that have derailed potential touchdown scoring drives. 

“Last year, we were solid in the red zone," said Ben Johnson. "You talk to our analytics guys, the red zone offense is a variable that changes year to year. It’s very inconstant, it’s not a stable force. What we look to do is, we have a philosophy that we adhered to last year and we’re attempting to adhere to again this year. The guys are aware of it, we brought it up again, 'This is what we want to do when we get down there.' We’ve been going backwards too much as opposed to going forward. We’ve had too many negative plays, particularly when we get from the 12-yard line on in. I think we’ve had like 50 plays and 10 of them have gone backwards. That’s really what’s killing us at the end of the day. We’ll get that solved and hopefully we’ll find more success down there.”

Challenge presented by Chargers QB Justin Herbert

Detroit's coaching staff has observed a young quarterback who has demonstrated a lack of fear in the face of constant pressure. 

Justin Herbert, 25, is a traditional pocket passer who is athletic enough to deliver strikes with athletic defensive linemen in pursuit. 

“He’s a big, physical, athletic quarterback with a huge arm. He will sit in the pocket and he will take a hit and still deliver the ball and deliver it with accuracy," said Aaron Glenn. "Usually when you have guys like that, they’re gonna have a good career. We have to do a good job of getting to him and when we get to him, we’ve got to get him down. 

"You see a lot of times, he’s breaking a lot of tackles back there when guys have him corralled. And then, we’ve got to stop this kid Allen. Obviously, he’s looking for him. Just look at the number of catches he has and everybody else has. It’s pretty out of whack. If I had him, I would throw it to him all the time too. But man, it’s gonna be a challenge for us. It’s gonna be a challenge. Our guys will be ready for it.”

Chargers have a returner Lions must pay attention to

Against the Jets on Monday Night Football, who have excelled this year on special teams, Chargers returner Derius Davis set the tone early with a punt return that he ran back 87-yards for a touchdown. 

“They’ve done a nice job. The returner’s an explosive player, he can run, obviously did that the other night against (the Jets). The thing that’s, not difficult, but part of this guy’s game is he can run around the edge, on the outside he’s got enough speed to run around everybody," said special teams coach Dave Fipp. "But then, like in that Jets game, he put his foot in the ground and took it up the middle of the field also. He makes you cover the whole field. They do a nice job with that. Their players play hard, I’ll definitely say that. These guys compete in the return game, they do a good job with that. So it’ll be a good matchup.”

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How Lions plan to be more consistent in their pass rush

Defensively, the team is seeking increased consistency in their ability to rush the quarterback. 

It is clear against mobile quarterbacks, the team must increase their discipline and remain committed to their assignments, as their two worst defensive performances came against the Seahawks and Ravens. 

Defensive line coach John Scott Jr. noted this week, “You guys look at the numbers and say, ‘It might not be consistent.’ I think, looking at it from a coaching eyes, some of it is, particularly with the scheme we’ve got, what they were doing. When you get bunches of sacks, sometimes in a game people change up completely what they do from what they show on tape and you’ve got to adjust. Or people try to come after your best rusher and things like that. I think the consistency of that is just continuing to find more ways just to continue to get our best rushers in the best position and us adapting in the game. I talked about it the last time I was here, everybody just making sure we’re rushing the right way. 

"It works hand in hand, coverage and rush and inside rush versus the outside rush, we all have to be in sync. You guys have seen when we do that, it comes out very, very well. Those guys have done it, teams have done a good job of mixing things up on us too. And we’ll continue to find more ways. AG does a fantastic job of finding more ways and creative ways to help us with that. So that’s what we’ll continue to do moving forward.”

Lions have left 'meat on the bone' 

Detroit's coaching staff is seeking steady improving weekly, with the hopes the young roster is playing their best brand of football in the second half of the season. 

After spending time self-scouting, the team has been made aware they have yet to really put together complete games on a consistent basis, leaving many to express their has been "meat left on the bone" during talks with reporters. 

“I think so. I think there’s a lot of meat on the bone, both for offense and defense. I’m sure they’d say the same thing where we feel like maybe the Carolina game was a complete game," said Jared Goff. "But other than that, I don’t know if we’ve really had one. And how do we get closer to that as the season comes to an end? And no reason to not start this week and try to put together a complete game this week as well.”