Detroit’s postseason aspirations took a major hit after a stunning loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day, a game in which quarterback Jared Goff was under constant pressure and the Lions turned the ball over six times. One of the most concerning issues, however, was the complete disappearance of the running game. Despite featuring one of the NFL’s most dynamic backfield pairings in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, Detroit managed just 68 rushing yards.
ESPN’s Eric Woodyard highlighted a glaring trend that explains much of Detroit’s inconsistency this season. In victories, the Lions dominate on the ground, averaging more than 170 rushing yards per game while posting an impressive 5.8 yards per carry.
In losses, those numbers plummet to roughly 69 yards and just over three yards per attempt. When head coach Dan Campbell was asked about the importance of reestablishing the run ahead of Friday’s matchup, his response was blunt and telling: “It’s everything.”
Injuries and personnel turnover have limited Detroit’s offensive explosiveness compared to previous seasons, but Campbell’s formula for success remains unchanged. The Lions are at their best when the run game drives the offense. When it stalls, the team often struggles to stay competitive.
Why the Ground Game Still Defines Detroit’s Offense
Although Detroit currently sits middle of the pack in rushing production at just under 120 yards per game, that figure masks a troubling late-season decline.
The Lions have failed to reach 100 rushing yards in three straight contests and were embarrassingly held to only 15 yards on the ground in their Week 16 loss to Pittsburgh.
Even so, Gibbs and Montgomery remain central to the offense’s identity. Gibbs has already rushed for over 1,100 yards and scored 13 touchdowns, including a massive 219-yard performance against the Giants—one of three games this season where he surpassed 100 yards, all of which resulted in wins.
Montgomery, while seeing reduced usage and averaging a modest 4.5 yards per carry, has still shown flashes, most notably a 151-yard outing against Baltimore earlier in the year.
The numbers tell a clear story: Detroit has failed to reach 100 rushing yards in seven of its eight losses. With Goff frequently under duress and a defense that has been depleted by injuries, controlling games on the ground has often been the difference between winning and losing.
Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, Detroit still has plenty at stake in the season finale against Chicago. A Lions victory would significantly complicate the Bears’ postseason path, potentially forcing them into a more difficult first-round matchup rather than hosting a weakened Green Bay team.
A Detroit loss, combined with a Philadelphia win, could reshuffle Chicago’s playoff seeding and create a much tougher draw.
If the Lions want to disrupt their division rival’s plans, the formula is straightforward. Protect the football, lean on the running game, and exploit a Bears defense that ranks near the bottom of the league against the run. Surpassing the 100-yard rushing mark could be enough to keep the game competitive and possibly play spoiler.
No matter how the finale unfolds, one conclusion is unavoidable: if Detroit wants to return to contention next season, strengthening and stabilizing the run game must be a major offseason priority.
