The Detroit Lions have fallen out of first place mainly due to quarterback Matt Stafford and the Lions’ offense.

Last season, Detroit ranked 6th in total offense, while putting up 24.8 points a game, which ranked in the top half of the league. However, after 11 games, this season has been a complete 360.

Like most struggling offenses, it starts up front. Detroit’s offensive line has been a disappointment to say the least. Matthew Stafford has been sacked 33 times, which is only second to Colin Kaepernick who has been brought down 34 times, but he is a dual-threat quarterback and they often hang in the pocket longer and take more sacks.

LaAdrian Waddle had a surprising rookie campaign after being undrafted, but his sophomore season has been one to forget. The second year tackle has missed four games, including three other games where he missed part of the action. On the inside, Rob Simms and Dominic Raiola have been on the field, but they’re just not producing at the level needed. Sims underwent off-season surgery and it’s looking to have an affect on his performance.

While the offensive line is obviously a big concern in the motor city, it doesn’t help that Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush have each missed three games. The absence of these electric athletes has played a role in Matthew Stafford’s mediocre season, along with having first year offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.

After 11 games, Stafford has only thrown 13 touchdowns and has been picked off 10 times.

In an attempt to improve production Lombardi is simplifying the playbook.

“You kind of over-plan and have more offense than maybe what you need. There’s just kind of some, hey, being prepared for different situations. So it’s just being a little bit more precise during the week and maybe having a little less insecurity as a coach. Sometimes you’re like, ‘Hey, I want all these plays in case,’ and we don’t need them.”

In addition to Stafford struggling, their run game has been even worse. They rank last in rushing yards and second to last in yards per carry at 3.2.

Lions’ head coach Jim Caldwell is familiar with turning a struggling offense around. Two years ago in Baltimore, the Ravens offense was revived after they replaced former offensive coordinator Cam Cameron with Caldwell. This is not to say Lomdardi is on the hot seat, but it’s an interesting thought.

“It really didn’t happen that way, I wouldn’t say that. I’d say the reason why it turned around is because the guys started playing better, plain and simple,” Caldwell said of his time with the Ravens. “It had nothing to do with me or my play calling or anything of that nature, in my estimation. It was just the guys just woke up and started playing better, that’s all.”

Hopefully for Lions fans, there’s plenty of time for their offense can experience a similar turnaround.

“I know we were at Baltimore my first year there, we sputtered along, had great games, had poor games, then we got on fire at the end,” Caldwell said. “Caught on fire. We were tough to deal with. So we’re hoping to light that match here shortly.”

As Detroit makes their playoff push, it’ll be interesting to see if they’re able to turn the corner offensively. If they can’t, there may be some major changes in the offseason.