With the Detroit Lions’s 26-10 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday night at Ford Field, not only did they enjoy their first win of the season (and Matt Patricia’s first win as head coach), they also broke one of their long standing droughts in the process.
For the first time in 70 games, the Lions have themselves a 100-yard rusher. Kerryon Johnson rushed for 101 yards on 16 carries on Sunday night, giving Detroit their first such accomplishment since Thanksgiving of 2013 courtesy of Reggie Bush’s 117 yards.
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Sunday night was Johnson’s third game of his NFL career, but he wasn’t as concerned about the statistic as he was with the final score.
“I think it was probably the moment I was drafted [I heard it], I can’t remember for sure,” Johnson said after the game. “I think it was probably around that time. That was the first time I heard it. Obviously it wasn’t the last.”
“But it was the last time I really cared about it. Like I said, I came in ready to work, ready to run. We came in ready to work. We came in ready to run. And that’s how we went through the offseason, that’s how we went through fall camp, and that’s how we went through the regular season.”
Lions right guard T.J. Lang was impressed with Johnson’s consistency and skill set that he’s displayed so far.
“It’s the consistency I think he brings,” Lang said. “He has some great attributes when he’s running the ball, too, as far as the vision that he has, the way he’s able to set up blocks, the patience that it takes sometimes to let the longer blocks develop. I think those are all very good tools.
“He obviously let it all shine last week.”
The Lions continue their season in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, where they’ll look to even up their record.
