The Detroit Lions are just past the halfway point of the season and sit at 8-1 with control of their own destiny the second half of the season.
But Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday he’s never been part of team that didn’t need to improve some aspect of their game down the stretch no matter how good they were or where their record stood.
So what is one thing Campbell would like to see improve the most with his team over the course of the next eight weeks?
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“I want to feel like we can get our efficiency back offensively,” he said. “Look, we’ve been efficient in spurts, and I’m not even talking where you’re scoring touchdowns every time. You just want to know you are getting out there converting first down, first down, first down. At least you’re moving the football because that gets us in a rhythm. I think that’s important and some of that is the fundamentals and details of what you do.”
Campbell wants to see the flow back in this offense that he feels has been missing a bit lately. He said it’s not something he’s concerned with, but it’s an area he feels like they can improve and will improve.
“Don’t try to do too much early, let the game come to you,” he said. “If we convert the next first down then that gives us another three or four plays. Convert the next one get another three or four opportunities. Pretty soon you’re gaining momentum and we’re feeling good about that.”
The Lions rank second in points scored (31.6) and seventh in total offense, but there have been some stretches where they’ve been less productive. To Campbell’s point, Detroit is tied for the fewest 10-play drives in the league this year with just 12. They also have 19 three-and-out drives, which ranks 11th.
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“I think the last three games are kind of indicative of that,” quarterback Jared Goff said Wednesday when asked if he agreed with his head coach about being more efficient offensively moving forward.
“The Tennessee game was somewhat of an outlier but when we weren’t in the red zone, we weren’t really moving the ball down the field. Green Bay, conditions and whatnot, we weren’t able to be as explosive as we wanted to. And then last week wasn’t as explosive as we want to.
“Getting that back on track, I think he’s absolutely right and it starts this week for us.”
