As the Detroit Lions prepare to face the New York Giants in their Week 12 NFC showdown, they’re looking to rebound after dropping two of their last three contests—including a nine-point loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. One of the biggest issues holding the offense back has been the stagnation of the run game, and head coach Dan Campbell has made it clear he wants that to change.

Despite the lack of recent success on the ground, David Montgomery isn’t losing faith. Speaking with reporters Thursday, he emphasized that the team understands the importance of establishing the run and believes they’re close to breaking off the big plays they’ve been missing. ESPN’s Eric Woodyard reported Montgomery’s stance, noting his confidence remains intact.

But the question remains: why haven’t those long runs materialized? A big part of the answer lies with the offensive line. Last week, guards Kayode Awosika and Tate Ratledge struggled significantly, which contributed to the offense’s lack of explosive rushing plays.

Montgomery Staying Steady Even as Production Dips

Ratledge posted his worst performance of the year against Philadelphia, earning a 35.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus—paired with a 19.3 pass-blocking score and a 45 in run blocking. Awosika didn’t fare much better, finishing with a 47.8 overall grade and a 48.4 run-blocking mark. Veterans Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, and Penei Sewell also had off games, but the guard play especially stood out as a major concern.

Fortunately for Detroit, the upcoming matchup presents a prime opportunity for improvement. The Giants own one of the league’s weakest run defenses, ranking 31st in rushing yards allowed per game (149.9) and last in yards per carry (5.5). Even after losing Josh Jacobs early last week, Green Bay still managed to rack up 128 rushing yards.

Montgomery enters Week 12 with 493 rushing yards and five touchdowns, but he has been far less efficient than in previous seasons. He has been held under 50 rushing yards in six different games, and inconsistent blocking up front has played a sizable role.

While Montgomery remains confident, the Lions need improved performances from both their running back and the interior of their offensive line. With the Giants’ struggling run defense on deck, Detroit couldn’t ask for a better chance to get its ground attack back on track.