Calvin Johnson had led the NFL in receiving yards for the past two seasons. He was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro player from 2010-2012, and he's seen as the main factor in Matthew Stafford and the Lions' success. Megatron is an all-star, but
that means nothing without consistent playoff appearances or a Super Bowl.
Johnson was drafted in 2007, Stafford was drafted in 2009, and the only time either of the two have played in a playoff game was in 2011. We’ve seen star athletes carry teams on their backs to win after win. Adrian Peterson ran the Vikings straight to the wildcard game last season. Peyton Manning carried the Colts to a Super Bowl win, and looks like he's ready to do the same for the Broncos. With the best receiver in the NFL on the team for six years now, how have the Detroit Lions only been to one playoff game in the last 13 years?
Megatron is an outstanding receiver who makes plays for the Lions at critical moments, but he isn't the only key to Stafford's (or the team’s) success - the key to victory isn't Johnson, it's a balanced offense that doesn't rely on Johnson every time the team needs a big play.
The Lions have struggled to run the ball for a while now, and with Johnson being the obvious threat he always finds himself double or triple teamed. Stafford ends up looking lost, or forcing a bad throw (which often leads to interceptions).
When you have one player on your team that can outperform many cornerbacks, then most team’s entire defensive scheme will be centered around taking Megatron out of the game - even if that means triple teaming him in the end zone.
The Lions need variety - a strong rushing game as well as an excellent passing attack. The addition of Reggie Bush has given the Lions what they sorely needed - an explosive running back who defenses will have to account for. The key to success isn't Bush, isn't Johnson, and definitely isn't Stafford - it's a combination of all three.
Stafford is well aware of the importance of a balanced attack, and that's why he gave the ball to Bush for successful gains that led the Lions to a win against the Minnesota Vikings. A strong running game takes pressure off of Johnson, leaving him open and waiting in the end zone. The more Johnson can get to the end zone without being triple-covered, the better.
In the Lions' second game of the season, the combination of Bush and Johnson was extremely effective, but as soon as the injury-prone Bush left the game, the Lions were back to their old ways: a team that can't score.
Stafford found Johnson several times prior to Bush’s injury, but once he left for the sidelines Johnson was blanketed. Should Bush go down, he has a serviceable backup in Joique Bell, but make no mistake, Bell is no Reggie Bush. Maybe things will open up more for Megatron when (if?) Ryan Broyles can make it back on the field, but that's still up in the air. Reggie Bush is the #2 target through the air for Stafford until that happens.
“If we’re going to be without him” Coach Jim Schwartz said of Bush, “then we’re going to need to find other ways to score because we didn’t get that done in the second half.” Bush’s injury is said not to be a long term ordeal, but getting him back on the field is crucial for Stafford - the key to success is a balanced offense that keeps defenses honest. Having Bush and Johnson on the field at the same time makes it much easier to balance out the playcalling.
It's said that a running back is a quarterback's best friend. If Johnson is the only star on the turf, he will be covered constantly. Teams know his skills and his value to Stafford. Detroit needs variety, and they need Bush, Johnson and Stafford healthy and playing together. If this can happen, the Lions just might have themselves
another playoff appearance. That said, here's to a speedy recovery for Bush.
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