Through the first four games of the 2022 NFL season, the Detroit Lions had the number one scoring offense in the NFL. The Lions were averaging an astounding 35 points per game. However, in the past two games, the Detroit Lions have scored a pathetic 6 points total. Furthermore, the Lions have not scored a touchdown since October 2nd.

Jared Goff

Throughout the first 4 games of the 2022 season, Jared Goff was tied for the NFL lead in touchdown passes with 11. However, in the past two games Jared Goff has thrown for o touchdown passes while throwing 3 interceptions.

The contrast between Goff’s first 4 games this season and his last 2 games this season are staggering. Jared Goff went from playing the best football of his career, to arguably being the worst quarterback in the NFL the past two weeks. Moreover, it is impossible to ignore that Jared Goff is costing the Detroit Lions chances to win games with his poor play.

Detroit Lions Turnovers

The number one indicator of winning or losing football games is whether or not your team turns the football over. During the first 4 games of the 2022 season, the Lions only turned the ball over 4 times. Furthermore, the Lions were only averaging 1 turnover per game which is very good.

However, in the past two games, the Detroit Lions have turned the ball over 7 times. Moreover, that is an average of 3,5 turnovers per game which is absolutely atrocious.

Most of the blame for those turnovers falls at the feet of Jared Goff. During the past two games, Jared Goff has thrown for 3 interceptions and lost 3 fumbles.

However, Jamaal Williams committed the costliest turnover of them all. Trailing 10-6, the Detroit Lions had the ball at the Dallas 1 yard line, but Jamaal Williams fumbled at the goal line which was recovered by the Cowboys. Furthermore, that touchdown would have given the Lions a 13-10 lead in the 3rd quarter. However, the turnover kept the score at 10-6, and the Lions would fail to score another point the rest of the game.

Detroit Lions Injuries

It is impossible to ignore that injuries have severely hurt this Detroit Lions offense the past two games. The past two games, the Lions have been missing star running back D’andre Swift, wide receiver D.J. Chark, and star wide receiver Amon-ra St. Brown has been clearly hampered by injuries.

D’andre Swift has been the most significant loss for the Detroit Lions offense. In the first 3 games of the 2022 season D’Andre Swift totaled 27 carries for 231 yards and a touchdown. Furthermore, Swift was averaging a phenomenal 8.6 yards per carry. However, in the past two games when the Lions offense has averaged 3 points per game, Swift has missed both games.

D.J. Chark was not great in the first 3 games of the 2022 season. However, he was an important piece for an offense that was playing great. Chark had even caught a touchdown pass in the Lions week one loss to the Eagles. However, in the past two games when the Lions have averaged 3 points per game, Chark has missed both games.

Amon-Ra St. Brown

Amon-ra St. Brown started off the season with a bang. Through the first 3 games, Amon-ra St. Brown was playing like one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. St. Brown caught 22 passes for 249 yards and 3 touchdowns. During the past two games Amon-ra St. Brown was clearly hampered by injuries.

Week 5 vs, the Patriots, St. Brown was still clearly bothered by an ankle injury that had kept him out of the Lions week 4 loss vs. the Seahawks. A clearly limited St. Brown was a complete non-factor in the Lions 29-0 loss to the Patriots.

Week 7 vs. the Cowboys, St. Brown started the game off with 1 catch for 4 yards. However, St. Brown had to leave the game in the first quarter with a concussion. He did not return for the game and his absence was clearly felt by a Detroit Lions offense that only managed 6 points in a 24-6 loss to the Cowboys.

Final Thoughts

During the last 2 games, the Detroit Lions defense has played better than they did during the first 4 games of the season. I would argue that the defense did enough for the Lions to have an opportunity to win both games.

However, the Lions offense was a completer and utter disaster in the past 2 games. Once the defense starts to play better, the offense falls off a cliff. What an absolute disaster the 2022 Detroit Lions season has been so far.

Photo by: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports