Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford explains lack of touchdowns by WR Calvin Johnson
Detroit Lions wide receiver, Calvin Johnson is not scoring touchdowns with ease this year and to date has only a single touchdown to his name after eight games.
This is in stark contrast to the 16 touchdowns he scored last year after combining brilliantly with quarterback Matthew Stafford to push the Lions into the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
Johnson also raked up 1,681 receiving yards and 96 catches last season and was rewarded with a new mega contract by Detroit making him the most earning receiver in the National Football League (NFL).
This year though things have not been as rosy with Johnson limited to just a single touchdown while the Lions struggle with a 4-4 record.
Johnson has been limited with injuries also hampering his explosive game however, the receiver is still on the way to another 100 receptions and 1,500 yard season after racking up 767 yards and 48 receptions in the first eight games for Detroit.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford in a recent appearance on NFL.com’s Rich Eisen Podcast
gave reasons why Johnson has not been scoring the touchdowns like he did last year.
Speaking during the interview, Stafford said:
"Whenever we get inside the 10-yard line, the teams' number one goal that we're playing, no matter who it is, 'Don't let Matthew throw it to Calvin and get a touchdown because that sparks them.' "
Adding further he said:
"The guy's getting just viced and doubled like nobody else in the league. It's an interesting predicament, but he's still getting a bunch of yards and a bunch of catches for us, which is what we need."
Even though Johnson is not scoring as regularly as he did in 2011, the receiver still remains an important cog for the Detroit Lions offence.
The extra defenders ganging up on Johnson is leaving Detroit’s other players open for Stafford to target which the Lions have taken full advantage of.
Detroit now just needs to fix its leaky defence heading into the final eight games of the season as they look to once again make their return to the playoffs and show that the 2011/12 season’s success was not just a one-off.
Tags: