© Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Lions Excelling at Gaining Yards after Contact
The Lions' rushing attack appears to be on the right track, after racking up 186 yards in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Currently, the Lions are averaging 120.5 rushing yards per game -- good for 13th-best in the NFL.
Not too shabby when compared to what Detroit fans have become accustomed to the past 10 years.
With the good, comes some bad. The Lions are still just 21st in yards per carry (3.9).
ESPN NFL Matchup released some interesting data in regards to how teams' rushing yards have been gained.
Lions No. 1 back Kerryon Johnson is not putting up huge numbers by any means. However, that doesn't mean he is not doing his part.
In the table below, you will find the league leaders by team for rushing yards after contact. Detroit's rushers are averaging 1.85 yards after initial contact, which is the sixth-largest figure in the NFL.
Not all of this can be attributed to Johnson, though, as he hasn't taken every single carry.
However, his 74 rush attempts are heads-and-shoulders above the next closest rusher in the departed C.J. Anderson. Anderson had 16 carries before being cut by the Lions.
Now to the concerning part.
Despite the Lions being one of the league's best when it comes to rushing yards gained after contact, Detroit ball carriers are also being hit a lot quicker than most.
Detroit is only averaging 2.07 yards per carry -- fourth-worst in the NFL -- before making contact with a defender, according to NFL Matchup.
Rushing the ball successfully relies on many players doing their jobs and winning the one-on-one matchups.
Make no mistake, there have been a few bright spots along the offensive line in terms of run-blocking. But other players, including fullback Nick Bawden and the team's tight ends, need to be more consistently productive.
As previously mentioned, the Lions had plenty of running success against the Chiefs, and they will have another opportunity to impose their will in Week 6 against a weak run-stopping team in the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers are allowing 5.16 yards per carry. It's a weakness the Lions should take full advantage of.
Just like the Lions have done in recent weeks, they are going to need to establish the run game on Monday night in order to control the clock and keep Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers off the field.
More: 5 Takeaways from Matt Patricia's Wednesday Media Session
