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Ray Rice: 5 Teams That Should Sign Him For A Playoff Run

By Ryan Phillips

Aug 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) smiles during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) smiles during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell (35) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell (35) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Lions

The Lions are 8-4 and currently in good shape to make the playoffs, and could even take the NFC North crown. Their stellar defense ranks second in the NFL in yards allowed per game (300.9) and they are surrendering an NFL-best 17.3 points per game. But while Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and company can light it up through the air, the team’s running game has been horrendous.

Detroit has the league’s eighth-best passing attack, averaging 262.7 yards per game, but the team’s rushing offense is only mustering 81.7 yards per game, which ranks 30th. Reggie Bush has only played in seven games so far in 2014, and Joique Bell has taken his place as the team’s go-to back. That experiment hasn’t exactly worked, as Bell has carried the ball 164 times but only has 581 yards, which gives him an average of 3.5 yards per carry. Meanwhile, George Winn and Theo Riddick haven’t chipped in much. Riddick can catch the ball out of the backfield, and has 27 receptions this year, but is averaging just 2.5 yards per carry.

Rice could easily take Riddick’s spot as a receiver out of the backfield, but he can also do the tough, inside running that Bell should be better at. The Lions definitely need a boost offensively if they are going to survive in January, and developing a running game that can take pressure off of Stafford has to be their top priority. Rice could be the boost they need.

Next: Atlanta Falcons

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