Can Swift Keep His Stride and Save Matt Patricia, or Will the Lions Drop the Ball Again?
By Robbie Williams
D’Andre Swift got his first official NFL start with the Detroit Lions’ Week 10 against the Washington Football Team and he did not disappoint, putting up a solid 5.1 yards per carry on 16 rushing attempts and hauling in five receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. Swift had been splitting the backfield in Detroit with future hall of famer Adrian Peterson all season, but now it appears he will be leading the Lions’ rushing attack the remainder of the season following his recovery from a mysterious concussion that is likely to have him sidelined against the Carolina Panthers in Week 11
The shift in who the Lions trust to lead the running game really started Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars when Swift and Peterson had 14 and 15 carries respectively, but Swift did significantly more with his opportunities, putting up 116 rushing yards and getting into the endzone twice, whereas Peterson only had 40 rushing yards for one touchdown that came from the one-yard line. In the first five games of the Lions’ season, Peterson led the backfield with 69 carries to Swift's 25 carries, but after Week 5 Swift has led the backfield with 44 carries to Peterson’s 28.
Adding to the hype around D’Andre Swift is the fact that he has been the Lions’ go-to running back in the red zone all year, despite only just now gaining starter status. Swift has six touchdowns on the season compared to Peterson’s two, and Swift could’ve easily had seven and been declared the hero of the Lions from Week 1 if he could’ve held onto a game-winning throw from Matt Stafford.
D’Andre Swift has 331 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns through Week 10 (Raj Mehta/USA TODAY Sports)
The Lions, as a whole, have made their fair share of mistakes over the years, but that one mistake from D’Andre Swift stands as the difference right now between second-place and last place in the NFC North. That catch would’ve put the Lions at 5-4 and the Bears at 4-6. It stands to reason that Swift, having blown his big moment in his NFL debut, is keenly aware of this fact and that’s put a chip on his shoulder this season that has bowled over quite a few defenders and led to him beating out a hall of famer for the job of starting running back. So watch out now that Patricia seems willing to let his second round pick run loose, because they both have something to prove. Unfortunately it’s looking as if Swift will have to wait another week to do so, but Matt Patricia and Lions fans everywhere should be happy to hear of Kenny Golladay’s return, which is sure to offset the loss of their star rookie running back.
The only person whose heart might have sunk more than Swift’s due to his concussion is Matt Patricia, who is on the chopping block for inheriting a playoff contending team and has not only failed to provide a playoff win but more importantly a playoff appearance since he took over almost three years ago.
Patricia had plenty of excuses for his team’s poor performance last year as they battled through a slew of injuries, including missing Matt Stafford for half the season. This year, Kenny Golladay has been Patricia’s only real long term injury excuse, and he is supposed to be back in action for the Lions’ Week 11 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
So with Swift hitting his stride, Kenny Golladay becoming active again, and a couple of favorable matchups before the Lions’ rematch with their division rivals, the Lions appear to be in the hunt for a chance of saving their season and Matt Patricia’s job. Even if they don’t make the playoffs, there is no doubt the boys in Honolulu blue will be making some waves in the playoff picture moving forward, and who knows? Maybe Patricia will be able to use Swift’s missed opportunity as an excuse to keep his job if they miss the wildcard by one game.
Robbie is a sports writer for La Tonique Media.
