ALLEN PARK — If the Lions are going to hop back on the winning track, they have to get the red zone issues fixed and do it before Sunday’s game at Arizona.
The Lions were 1 of 7 inside the 20-yard line in Sunday’s loss to the Buccaneers. No need to look further to figure out why they lost.
So far in two games they are 3 of 11 in the red zone.
Still quarterback Jared Goff is confident they will bounce back.
“That’s kind of what we’re built for, is responding, and we’ve got another really good team we’re playing again this week with Arizona,’’ Goff said Wednesday. “On the road, it’ll be a tough environment, it’ll be a tough game to win, but we’ll be geared up and ready.”
Coach Dan Campbell said it’s not on one player, it was an offensive issue.
“It’s a team effort out there. We didn’t finish the drives, we take pride in our red zone offense and, as an offense, we just didn’t get the job done,’’ offensive line coach Hank Fraley said on Wednesday. “That’s definitely a point of focus this week and really every week, it’s an offseason focus.’’
Goff said if they could pinpoint an issue they would’ve been able to fix it during the game.
“It was just they played well on defense, we didn’t play well enough on offense and got down there seven times, which I think was the most we’ve gotten down there since (offensive coordinator) Ben (Johnson)’s been calling plays, but ultimately we didn’t capitalize on it and they did a good job on defense,’’ Goff said.
Definitely credit the Bucs’ defense, but six failed attempts inside the 20 is just too much. From the 20 to the 20 the Lions’ offense moved the ball with 463 yards of total offense (compared to Tampa’s 216 yards) and Jared Goff threw for 324 yards. Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs (84 yards) and David Montgomery combined for 119 rushing yards.
“It felt like there was some consistency and movement of the football, then when we got to the red zone and for one reason or another – it could’ve been one person or one thing not going the right way. There were a couple of runs I’d like to have back,’’ Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery said. “There were little things we see that collectively you can’t have happen. That’s what we’re focused on now moving forward.’’
While he said there are a few things they know they can do better, it wouldn’t offer specifics.
Fraley could be speaking for the whole offense when he said, “It’s disappointing because when we go down there we expect we’re getting 7. That’s our mindset and worst case scenario 3.’’
INJURY UPDATE: DL Marcus Davenport (groin), who didn’t play Sunday, was back at practice on Wednesday. … Missing from practice during the portion open to the media were: LB Alex Anzalone (concussion), S Ifeaut Melifonwu (ankle), CB Terrion Arnold (finger), CB Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring), LG Graham Glasgow (knee). S Kerby Joseph (back) and WR Isaiah Williams (abdomen) were limited in practice..
UP NEXT: Lions (1-1) at Arizona Cardinals (1-1), 4:25 p.m. on Sunday. Airs on FOX and 97.1 The Ticket.
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