ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions offense has gotten a bunch of praise this season and Matthew Stafford is having one of the best years of his career.

Stafford has earned the kudos, but should the offense as a whole be getting it as well? We look at some of that in today’s Lions Mailbag.

To ask a question for a future Lions Mailbag, use the hashtag #LionsMailbag on Twitter, email me at michael.rothstein@espn.com or shoot me a note on Facebook.

Now, on to today’s question.

@mikerothstein Under Caldwell, DET has been 22nd, 18th, & 17th in points scored. Regardless of playoffs, isn't that a concern? #lionsmailbag — Aaron (@AaronLeif) December 19, 2016

That’s a good question, Aaron, and yeah, it is something that should be concerning for the Lions. I tend to look less at the ranking as opposed to the number and point differential, but it does put more pressure on Detroit’s defense.

So far, Teryl Austin’s unit has been able to handle that but it is a concern. It also sent me looking back into the numbers on offense for a bit. For as much praise as Jim Bob Cooter has received, the Lions are actually averaging slightly fewer points per game than they did under Joe Lombardi.

In 2014, Caldwell’s first year, Detroit averaged 20.06 offensive points per game. Last season, when the Lions started 1-7 and rebounded to finish 7-9, Detroit averaged a Caldwell-best 21.25 offensive points.

This year? The Lions are averaging 19.71 offensive points.

That’s a better stat to look at than total points per game because it shows how productive the offense is being as opposed to the team as a whole. For instance, the Lions as a whole, including defensive and special-teams points, is actually averaging 21.5 points a game -- a number better than the Lions’ overall PPG in 2014 but lower than last season.

It’s a somewhat surprising number because of Stafford’s efficiency this season that Detroit hasn’t been able to put up the points in bunches. Some of that has to do with the way the Lions have operated. They’ve struggled to score in the first and third quarters of games (53 points each) and been way more explosive in second quarters (89 points) and fourth quarters (100 points). That’s almost one-third of Detroit’s 301 total points this season scored in the final quarter.

It helps explain the comebacks. Stafford has always operated well in two-minute drills, but those numbers also display Detroit’s issues in other areas.

The Lions have converted 42.7 percent of their third downs this year (42.1 percent of their passes and 46.2 percent of their rushes) and have been under 40 percent conversions in three of their five losses this season.

And third-down conversions continue drives and make a difference in being able to put up points and ends drives with touchdowns instead of field goals.

So the Lions’ merely average points per game is something to be cognizant of, but as long as Detroit’s defense continues to play well it should not be too much of a barrier because the potential for big-time scoring games has always been there with Stafford and the passing options he has.