The Detroit Lions broke their losing streak and now have some momentum heading into Week 7. With Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson putting on an improved performance, the Lions simply need the run game to matchup with the passing game if the team wants to keep winning. The run game has had its issues with Ameer Abdullah struggling with fumbles. Could the return of Joique Bell help?
Heading into the regular season the Lions had drafted Abdullah, but were still calling Bell their starter. However, three off-season surgeries have prolonged his return to the field as the running back has yet to make any kind of impact like Detroit was hoping. However, Bell has made it clear that the end is near and he is predicting a quick return in the coming weeks.
"I played through a lot (last year), and some things that I had to get corrected in the off-season," Bell said, via the Detroit Free Press. "We did that and I tried to come back as soon as possible, but obviously I wasn't ready yet and so the coaches and the training staff were very smart in sitting me down. But I think that time is coming to an end pretty soon, so I'm just excited. I'm just excited about getting back. It's really hard sitting on the sideline watching your team play and knowing that you can't do anything to help them out except sit there and cheer them on and give as much advice as you can on the sideline."
The Lions need Bell back. The team announced that Zach Zenner is out for the remainder of the season with broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung. That leaves Abdullah and Theo Riddick as the healthy players and it is clearly not enough to help get wins. The biggest concern is the ball security issues from Abdullah. The running back continues to have costly fumbles causing trust in him to tumble. The rookie is hopeful to fix it.
"I want this team to trust me, I want the coaches to trust me, so I can't continue to put it on the ground," Abdullah said, via the Free Press. "It's disappointing for me, but I realized today I've got some great teammates, man. A lot of people picked me up, man. People making plays all over the place, playing with the greatest receiver ever, that doesn't hurt. So I was happy that the team really was rallying around me and they didn't let a couple turnovers ... get you down."
The Lions are benefitting from an improved game from Stafford and Johnson which is expected to continue. Golden Tate also made a positive impact. The passing game is inconsistent, but finding a rhythm. Now the run game must duplicate the success.
