All year, despite the overall unsuccessful nature of the Detroit Lions season, the offensive line had been the one fairly consistent part of the team. They weren’t getting beat too badly in pass protection, often giving quarterback Matthew Stafford time in the pocket. A number of sacks in weeks one through three were just as much on Stafford for holding the ball too long as on the offensive line.
Also, despite the lower rushing numbers, lanes were being opened in the ground game by the line. Starting running back Adrian Peterson simply wasn’t able to take full advantage of them like he once was.