Pride of Detroit
Coming off its best win of the season against the Baltimore Ravens, the Detroit Lions returned home to host the Cleveland Browns. Detroit wanted to extend its winning streak, but it wasn’t be easy, as the Browns were coming off their own big win over the Green Bay Packers, holding them to just 10 points. Detroit didn’t overlook Cleveland, despite comments made by Lions offensive coordinator John Morton earlier in the week.
It was a slow, grueling game for both teams. Detroit tried to run, and while they found success at times, Cleveland held them to 277 yards and just 109 on the ground. The Lions needed all three phases to contribute for them to escape with a win. We could be talking about a Lions loss if the defense can’t create turnovers and special teams doesn’t put up 13 points.
Lots to digest and go over, so let me break it down for you as I give you my five takeaways from the Lions’ win against the Browns.
While the Cleveland defense was causing issues for Detroit, the Lions didn’t help themselves with all the penalties called on them. On the opening drive, the Lions defense was called for three penalties, all holding in the secondary. Even though they were not accepted due to the Browns’ offense moving the chains, it still wasn’t a good thing to see. Then if we include the flags called on Detroit, they got three more for 15 yards.
In the second quarter, running back Jahmyr Gibbs had a solid 24-yard run, but with back-to-back false starts, it pushed Detroit back and eventually forced the team to punt. Going up against a team like Cleveland, you can’t keep them in the game by messing up and hurting yourself. Detroit finished with six penalties for 35 yards, and if this was against a better opponent, it might have been more impactful.
With the offense sputtering, they needed some assistance, and while punter Jack Fox boomed a few punts deep to push the Browns offense back, the secondary finished them off. First, safety Kerby Joseph got his second interception of the season from a pass by Browns quarterback Joe Flacco. In the second quarter, after the Lions again can’t move the ball on offense, cornerback D.J. Reed dove and picked off the ball and returned inside the Browns’ 10.
Late in the fourth quarter, with the Browns down by 17, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson had a big strip sack on Flacco, and Detroit recovered. The Lions took advantage of the short field and put up a touchdown to go up 34-10. 17 points for the Lions came off turnovers, so without those, we might have seen a closer game. Detroit had struggles on offense, but when the defense gave them a short field, they executed and didn’t make it all for nothing.
Getting seven sacks against...
