New York Jets at Detroit Lions stream, odds, keys, and more
Detroit Lions to watch
Matthew Stafford
It seems like Matthew Stafford has done just enough in his career to get by without taking on overwhelming criticism. Being as clutch as he has obviously helped; he’s led the league in fourth-quarter comebacks three of the last four years.
In seven of his nine full seasons as the Lions starter Stafford has won 10 games just twice and has traditionally fallen into the 7-9/9-7 range. Perhaps a new staff and running game could help break that trend, but right now Stafford appears to be stuck in a rut of mediocrity.
Kerryon Johnson
We mentioned the lack of a running game in Detroit earlier, and Kerryon Johnson is the next guy up to get the Lions running game back.
While not drawing the same praise as Saquon Barkley or Sony Michel, Johnson was one of the most productive collegiate running backs over the last two years. Last year he won the SEC Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for nearly 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns. He finished his three-year career with 34 all-purpose touchdowns and is now the next man up in Detroit.
Frank Ragnow
Detroit went slightly unconventional and took an interior offensive lineman in the first round this year. Frank Ragnow was known as a rugged center at Arkansas but he slides in at left guard for Detroit with Graham Glasgow starting at center.
Stafford was sacked 47 times last year, the second most in football behind the Colts’ Jacoby Brissett. If Ragnow turns into the Pro Bowl player many projected him to be, the Lions offensive line looks strong with Taylor Decker and TJ Lang returning.