Niner Noise
FanSided

The top NFL player to watch from each team in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Lions — Running Back Ameer Abdullah

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is still the guy on offense, and last season proved he is more than capable of impacting an offensive attack without wide receiver Calvin Johnson (retired) in the picture.

But the Lions also boasted one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL in 2016. As a whole, Detroit finished No. 30 in the league with a mere 1,310 yards on the ground. And none of the Lions running backs reached 400 yards on the ground.

The Lions managed to win a lot of close games last season. Winning close games is a nice ability to have. Yet, in an ideal world, Detroit would be able to close out victories a bit earlier.

Much of this falls on the running game and being able to effectively manage the clock.

Lions general manager Bob Quinn indicated last April Ameer Abdullah will be the starting tailback this upcoming season.

The 23-year-old Abdullah appeared in just two games last season before suffering a season-ending foot injury. Yet he did average 5.6 yards during that brief stretch.

The Lions need Abdullah to be a major factor this season if they want to get any headway in the NFC North.