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Lions’ offense hopes to roar against Bears
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell provided an honest assessment of his maligned offense Tuesday.
“We have no comfort zone,” he said. “We have no area that we are comfortable with at this point in time with our offense.”
The Lions offense hasn’t scored a touchdown the past two games, helping lead to its first two-game losing streak of the season. The team ranks 28th in the NFL averaging just 17.9 points per game, and the offense has struggled to support its stout defense.
However, against the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving at Ford Field, the Lions have an opportunity to find a rhythm on offense. The Bears rank 30th in the NFL allowing 27.5 points per game and have the 29th-ranked pass defense, which could be a perfect cure for the inaccurate Matthew Stafford.
Turnovers haven’t been a major problem this year as the Lions rank 15th in giveaways. They won the turnover battle in Arizona, 2-1, in Week 11 and drew 1-1 with the Patriots in Week 12. But the offense didn’t score a touchdown in either game, the first time that’s happened to the Lions since September 2000.
Losing on the road to the Patriots and Cardinals wasn’t a surprise, but the offense hasn’t looked great besides a few stretches in games since scoring 35 points in Week 1.
“We have too many playmakers not to be explosive,” wide receiver Calvin Johnson said.
Still, the Lions have been unable find a rhythm this season besides their three consecutive comebacker wins over the Saints, Falcons and Dolphins.
“The reason why I’m not comfortable is because we haven’t scored enough points, more so than anything else,” Caldwell said. “Oftentimes it doesn’t matter how you score as long as you get them on the board. So right now, we just have not been consistent enough to get that done in so many different areas.”
Stafford, who’s completing just 58.8 percent of his passes, said he’s comfortable in the offensive scheme run by first-year coordinator Joe Lombardi, and even though his stats continue to show regression, he’s worried about helping the team out of its funk.
“I’m trying to get this offense in the end zone as much as possible,” he said. “Whatever it takes to get that done, I’m going to do it.”
Injuries have played some role, and if the Lions don’t have left tackle Riley Reiff (knee), they’d be without their top two offensive linemen Thursday against the Bears. Their top three tight ends — Brandon Pettigrew, Eric Ebron and Joseph Fauria — have all missed games, and Johnson and Reggie Bush have had lingering injuries.
“We make no excuses,” Caldwell said. “Our job is to win games and win games period. … The minute you start building and looking for excuses you’re going to find that it’s going to crop up all over the place.”
NOTES: LT Riley Reiff (knee) was out Tuesday and is doubtful to play Thursday. … DT Nick Fairley (knee) was out and will likely miss his fourth straight game. … RG Larry Warford (knee) was out and will likely miss his third straight game. … WR Calvin Johnson (ankle) was limited in practice Tuesday, but should play. … Among those limited were SS James Ihedigbo (knee), SLB linebacker Ashlee Palmer (concussion), DE Ezekiel Ansah (elbow), RB Reggie Bush (ankle), CB Mathis (ankle), FS Glover Quin (back) and DE George Johnson (foot). Interior offensive lineman Rodney Austin was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster, TE Kellen Davis was released and LB Harris was signed to the practice squad.
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