Offensive mastermind Ben Johnson has the Detroit Lions in playoff contention

NEW YORK – Offensive mastermind Ben Johnson is the key weapon behind the late-season playoff push by the 6-7 Detroit Lions, who’ve received 5 out of their final six video games to place themselves again within the hunt for the seventh and last wildcard spot.

Johnson, 36, was elevated to offensive coordinator forward of the 2022 season. He joined the Lions in 2019 because the tight ends coach earlier than taking on play-calling duties again in February.

By the group’s first 4 video games, the Lions averaged 35 factors per recreation, however accidents and poor defensive schemes landed the group with a 1-6 document.

The Lions trustworthy misplaced hope, however head coach Dan Campbell stored the religion in his newly appointed OC, whom he’s accustomed to. He and Johnson had been on the identical teaching employees with the Miami Dolphins within the early to mid 2010s.

One other coach on the Dolphins employees throughout that point was the reigning, defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor.

Taylor was making an attempt to convey Johnson’s offensive wizardry to the Bengals, which he spoke about to the media forward of his Tremendous Bowl matchup in opposition to Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams.

“That’s in all probability why he (Campbell) promoted him as a result of he is aware of he’s obtained probably the greatest younger coaches within the league proper there on his employees,” mentioned Taylor. “Why not promote him and assist name this offense? So, (I’m) actually glad for Ben. I feel that’s a fantastic transfer by Dan. He’s going to proceed to develop with the expertise because it comes alongside like all of us have, however once more I can’t say sufficient constructive issues about Ben Johnson and the position he’s going to have there in Detroit.”

That’s excessive reward for a coach with a scrappy bunch of gamers who take after the Metropolis of Detroit. They’re blue-collar and aren’t afraid to make choices like working a goal-line play with offensive sort out Penei Sewell with the sport on the road.

Campbell joked that he was distracted by the followers when the play was known as whereas on the Pat McAfee present.

“These items occur in the course of the recreation,” mentioned Campbell. “We’re in that scenario, and the followers are doing the wave across the stadium, and so, I’m simply watching, and I hear (offensive coordinator) Ben Johnson, like, ‘Hey coach, do you need to (inaudible)?’ I’m simply so targeted on the wave, and I mentioned, ‘Yeah, that’s nice.’ Then I search for, and we’re throwing it to Penei, and I’m going, ‘What the f— are we doing?’ He’s, like, ‘Coach, you mentioned it was nice.’ But it surely labored out nice.”

Learn: ‘What the f— are we doing?’ Dan Campbell jokes he was distracted by wave earlier than move to Penei Sewell

They’re additionally the identical group that can run a faux punt from their very own 20 yard line, which gained 42 yards and ultimately arrange a landing.

The Lions are probably the most enjoyable group within the NFL, and it begins with Campbell and his hiring/selling of Johnson. He’s changing into a scorching commodity within the league after the large turnaround from beginning 1-6 to now being winners of 5 of six.

With a win Sunday, the Lions will transfer to 7-7 on the season and tie the Seattle Seahawks, who fell to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night time Soccer.

Though it feels like hyperbole, the Lions can do the unthinkable because it has been achieved earlier than. In the event that they in some way make the ultimate playoff spot within the NFC, they’ll be a part of the 1970 Bengals as the one groups to begin 1-6 and make the playoffs.

Learn: Right here’s how the Detroit Lions could make the playoffs in the event that they win out or lose yet one more recreation

Subsequent up can be a visit to MetLife Stadium to face the 7-6 New York Jets, who’ve simply misplaced quarterback Mike White to a rib damage. Can Detroit maintain the great instances rolling, or are they in a impolite awakening?