Browns’ writer believes the Lions can hurt the Browns in a way basically nobody ever does
This would be huge
The Detroit Lions will be back at home on Sunday to take on the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field. Everyone looks at this Browns team like it should be an easy win for Detroit, and to a degree, they have some points. Offensively, this Browns team is one of the worst in the NFL. But defensively, this team is legit. Ask the Green Bay Packers.
They currently sit at third in defensive DVOA; they allow the fourth fewest passing yards, and where the Lions could really have some trouble, this team has allowed just 172 rushing yards this year. That’s the fewest in the NFL. A genuine problem for the Lions. Unless you ask our Browns beat writer, Brandon Little.
Browns’ writer believes the Lions can run the ball very well on the Browns’ defense
I was personally pretty surprised to hear this. It’s not that I doubt the Lions’ rushing attack, but Cleveland has shut down Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, and Chase Brown. It’s not hard to believe they could do it against Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Here’s why Little believes the Browns will have a hard time stopping them after all:
“The Lions have what the Browns hope to build—a true two-headed monster in the backfield. Quinshon Judkins is already making an impact for Cleveland, and Dylan Sampson has shown flashes, but they’re still a long way from being anything close to Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Detroit boasts one of the league’s most dangerous running back rooms, and it could be the first team to give the Browns serious problems on the ground this season. Cleveland has been dominant against the run, holding opponents to just 57.3 rushing yards per game—best in the NFL. They handled Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson well, though those two combined for just 13 carries in a game that got lopsided in the second half. Last week, the Browns limited Josh Jacobs to only 30 rushing yards.
Detroit, however, presents a different challenge. The Lions’ offensive build forces defenses to respect Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta in the passing game—before even factoring in two versatile running backs who can make plays through the air as well. The Browns haven’t faced an offense that is built to this degree yet this year. With Cleveland sticking to bringing four the majority of the time, it only takes one crease for a playmaker like Gibbs to break a big one. The Browns’ run defense has been excellent through three games, and that’s no fluke—it’s who they are. But even elite defenses have down weeks, and Detroit has the personnel to challenge Cleveland on the ground.”
Cleveland Browns Run Defense Facts
- The Browns haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher since last January
- The Browns only allowed two players to run for 100 yards last season
- Taysom Hill was the other player
To tack on to what Little said there, it should be noted that while the Browns’ defense is no doubt very good, this is, believe it or not, the best offensive line this team has faced all year.
On both the pass protect and run protect fronts, the Lions are pretty far ahead of the Packers, Ravens, and Bengals. That could allow them to get things done on the ground, despite the thought that it might be really hard to do. The Browns also haven’t really faced a dual rushing attack like the Lions in quite a while. So maybe Little is right, maybe the Lions are able to get the run game going.
Detroit Lions News
Jameson Williams’ contract details have dropped, and they make the Lions look really, really smart and ready to get other big deals done
This is going to help a lot of things get done
