For an offense loaded with weapons, the Detroit Lions have been surprisingly ineffective when facing third-and-long situations in 2025. As noted by Al Karsten of Pride of Detroit, the Lions’ performance in those moments has dropped off sharply compared to last season, emerging as one of the few flaws in an otherwise high-powered attack.
It’s a troubling trend for a team that ranks third in the NFL in scoring (30.7 PPG). Despite boasting playmakers like Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs, the offense has faltered whenever the field tightens and the pressure mounts.
A Noticeable Step Back from 2024
Last year, Detroit placed 7th in the league on third-and-10+ plays, converting 22.9% (8-of-35), and those 35 total attempts were the fewest in the NFL. In short, they rarely faced long-yardage downs and still thrived when they did.
This season, the Lions have not only encountered more third-and-long chances but have also struggled to adjust once defenses anticipate the pass. The retirement of center Frank Ragnow in June has left a noticeable void, and though Graham Glasgow and Christian Mahogany have held up admirably inside, the protection has been less stable on obvious passing plays.
Combine that with penalties and drive-killing mistakes, and the Lions are digging themselves into difficult positions far too often.
Breaking Down the Issues
A few key elements have fueled Detroit’s third-down slump:
Predictable Play Design:
Offensive coordinator John Morton, in his first year succeeding Ben Johnson, has flashed potential but lacks Johnson’s knack for disguising calls on long-yardage downs. Too frequently, Detroit settles for short routes or quick throws that fail to reach the sticks.
Protection Concerns:
Without Ragnow anchoring the middle, defenses are attacking the A-gaps with consistency. While Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker remain reliable on the edges, inside pressure is forcing Goff to release the ball early.
Limited Explosiveness: Though Jameson Williams offers deep speed, the Lions haven’t connected on enough big plays in clutch spots. Early-down penalties or incompletions often lead to stalled drives.
Coaching Response
Head coach Dan Campbell has emphasized discipline and execution as top priorities in key moments. Morton and passing game coordinator David Shaw have dedicated additional time to sharpening third-down concepts, while run game coordinator Hank Fraley continues to tweak interior protection schemes alongside Glasgow and rookie Mahogany.
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard’s unit has held up well, but the offense’s inability to sustain drives has at times shifted late-game pressure back to the defense.
The Detroit Lions remain among the league’s elite teams, yet their third-and-long inefficiency has become a glaring concern. Last season, they avoided those situations altogether. This year, they’re trapped in them—and suffering because of it.
If John Morton and Jared Goff can’t reignite the third-down offense soon, it may be the one flaw separating Detroit from a true Super Bowl breakthrough. The Lions have the stars, the system, and the mindset—they just need sharper execution when the moment demands it most.
