By Moses Joshua 
Detroit’s high-powered offense faces a surprising Achilles’ heel — and it’s one the new play-caller must solve quickly.
Detroit’s Third-Down Problem Is Becoming Too Big to Ignore
For a team built around one of the NFL’s most balanced and dynamic attacks, the Detroit Lions have one glaring flaw that could derail their Super Bowl aspirations — their inability to convert on long third downs.
Despite boasting an elite cast led by Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions’ offense has sputtered when facing third and long situations in 2025. As Al Karsten of Pride of Detroit reported, their efficiency has cratered compared to last season, ranking near the bottom of the league in nearly every third-and-long category.
On 3rd and 7+ yards, the Lions are converting at just 19.4% — 26th in the league. Things only get worse from there: 17.8% on 3rd-and-8+, a dreadful 4.2% on 3rd-and-9+, and a complete shutout on 3rd-and-10+, where they’re 0-for-20. For a team averaging over 30 points per game, that’s an alarming disconnect.
From Ben Johnson’s Balance to Morton’s Growing Pains
The drop-off from last year’s success is striking. In 2024, Detroit ranked 7th in the NFL on 3rd-and-10+ conversions and faced fewer long-yardage situations than any team in football. Now, they find themselves constantly behind schedule — and struggling to respond.
The retirement of center Frank Ragnow in June has left a noticeable void in both protection and leadership. While veterans Graham Glasgow and rookie Christian Mahogany have filled in admirably, the line hasn’t maintained its same level of cohesion. Defenses are exploiting that, dialing up A-gap pressure and forcing Goff into rushed throws.
At the same time, offensive coordinator John Morton has yet to find his rhythm in his first season calling plays. His situational play-calling, particularly on third and long, has been predictable — favoring quick routes and checkdowns over the creative, layered concepts that defined Ben Johnson’s tenure.
Execution, Protection, and Penalties: A Perfect Storm
Several issues are feeding into this efficiency problem:
- Predictable Play Design: Morton has leaned on safe routes that rarely reach the sticks, allowing defenses to sit underneath.
- Protection Breakdowns: Without Ragnow’s presence, Goff has faced more interior heat than he did a season ago, cutting off deeper reads.
- Self-Inflicted Wounds: False starts, holding calls, and blown assignments on early downs are putting Detroit in impossible situations.
Even Dan Campbell acknowledged the need for improvement, stressing the importance of discipline and execution: “We’re getting behind the sticks too often, and that’s killing drives. We’ve got to be sharper — that’s on all of us.”
Can the Lions Fix It Before It Costs Them?
The good news? Detroit’s issues are fixable — and they have the personnel to turn it around. The coaching staff spent the bye week reviewing film, fine-tuning situational calls, and emphasizing tempo adjustments to help Goff regain confidence in long-yardage spots.
If Morton can restore rhythm and unpredictability to Detroit’s passing game — and the offensive line can give Goff an extra heartbeat in the pocket — the Lions’ third-down woes could quickly fade into memory.
Because if they don’t, this one statistical weakness could become the difference between a playoff run and a Super Bowl berth.
The Lions have the talent. They have the identity. Now, it’s up to John Morton to get this offense back in sync — before third and long becomes their undoing.