Last year, the Detroit Lions entered the bye week with a solid 5-2 record coming off a big win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This year, the Lions are 3-2 in the bye with some narrow victories over the Jets and Saints and some decisive losses to the Bills and Panthers.
Despite how it looks on the surface, Campbell said he actually feels more optimistic about this year’s team.
“We came in (last year), and I don’t remember what we were, but we just won, and it looked good, but there are some things you can feel a little bit off,” Campbell said. “In some ways, I feel better going into this bye than I did last year, because I know we’re going up and we’re young and we’re growing, and that’s exciting.”
Last year, there were plenty of warning signs in Detroit’s 5-2 start that would ultimately result in a 4-6 finish. Nothing is more obvious than a running game that isn’t nearly as good as it looks on the surface. In the bye week, the Lions averaged 4.5 yards per carry (13th) and had 10 touchdowns (second), but posted just a 40.3% success rate (19th). In other words, a handful of big runs boost their numbers.
This year, it’s the opposite. They lack massive, explosive runs, but they do better on a downhill basis. They average an identical 4.4 yards per carry (12th) and have eight touchdowns (t-fifth), but the Lions’ 46.2% rushing success rate ranks fourth best.
Detroit made a ton of investments in their offensive line this offseason, moving on from older players like Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow. That mantle has been handed to Penei Sewell (26 years old), Christian Mahogany (26), Juice Scruggs (26), Tate Ratledge (25), and rookie Blake Miller (22). When free agent Cade Mays returns to the lineup this week, he will be the oldest starter up front at 27.
It’s not just the offensive line, either. Detroit is now leaning more on other key, young players like Jahmyr Gibbs (24), defensive tackle Tyleik Williams (23), rookie defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard (24), and linebacker Jack Campbell (26). It’s only a matter of time before rookie defenders Derrick Moore and Jimmy Rolder earn increased roles. And don’t forget the return of Brian Branch, who turns 25 this week.
With that youth comes potential. These players are not only growing in their NFL careers, but they are building chemistry together. The key for Detroit is to keep their trajectory headed in the right direction.
“Sometimes you feel like you’ve been topped off and maybe you’re starting to deteriorate because of issues, fatigue, age, whatever it is,” Campbell said last year. “So [this year] is exciting. I feel like we’re getting a little high here. We just have to get better. We have to keep testing ourselves. And, look, we’re in a long time now, and it’s really close to getting ready. The competition is about to really raise another level, and it starts in Green Bay.