Lions notes: Detroit has the NFL’s worst red zone offense

The Detroit Lions’ red zone struggles were back on display this past Sunday against the Cowboys. Though they did score once, thanks to a phenomenal run from rookie Kerryon Johnson, earlier in the game, the Lions were forced to settle for a field goal, pushing an early lead to four instead of eight.

Combine that with Detroit’s other three games, and you get literally the worst red zone offense in the entire NFL.

This is particularly troubling when you consider how good the Lions’ offense has been outside of the red area. According to Football Outsiders, the Lions are ninth in average yards per drive, 14th in points per drive, and they only go three-and-out 14 percent of the time, which is good for third best.

Also interesting of note, the other three teams with poor red zone offenses are the three teams that have defeated Detroit thus far. It should come as no surprise that the Lions’ red zone defense (by touchdown percentage) is third-best in the league—allowing a touchdown just 35.7 percent of the time.

• Matt Millen is stepping down from his announcing role with Big Ten Network to focus on his health. As you may remember, Millen is dealing with a rare heart disease and fighting for his life. Obviously, this news doesn’t seem like a good sign, but we’re hoping for the best for the former Lions general manager:

• The odds to win the NFC North are pretty evenly dispersed... except for the Lions. Per Bovada.LV, here’s what the odds look like after Week 4:

Packers: 8/5
Bears: 2/1
Vikings: 2/1
Lions: 18/1

Yikes.

• Hey, the Lions aren’t terrible in the first half. Hooray?

• Recapping film review pieces from around the Lions beat: Justin Rogers has five observations, and Kyle Meinke describes how the Lions’ plan to force Dak Prescott to throw backfired.

• Don’t look at this. Close out your window right now. Save yourself:

• Everybody loves on-field audio. The Lions provided the “Sights and Sounds” for their Week 4 game against the Dallas Cowboys.

• Lions players in superhero costumes + helping out families dealing with pediatric cancer = awesome.