Lions Offense is the best the Browns have seen after 34-10 Beat Down

The Lions knew this game would be tough, as the Browns have (had?) the best Defense in the NFL, and then they decided to run their mouths. Myles Garrett and Mason Graham got all butthurt when Lions OC John Morton answered a question and stated that the Browns are really good but haven’t seen a running game likes the Lions yet. Based on the game, one point to John Morton. The Lions ended up with 109 yards rushing, and Jamyr Gibbs with 91 of those personally gained more than the Bengals (46), Ravens (45) and Packers (81) did as a team in the Browns first three games. Goff was under intense pressure all day, but the Browns did not register a sack. The best part of the game, even with the win, was hearing Jonathan Vilma mention that he and Kenny Albert would be in London calling the Vikings/Browns game next week, and nowhere near Cincinnati.

It was good, then not good, then good!

What Went Wrong: Penalties and injuries in the defensive backfield. Now, some of those were suspect at best, and the crew for the game is notorious for calling DPI and Defensive Holding, but Branch and Arnold were flagged multiple times early on and that isn’t sustainable. As for the injuries, Arnold (Shoulder/Pec) and DJ Reed (hamstring) both left the game and did not return. If they are out for any amount of time, the Lions might be in a pinch as they have a mix of Safety/CB hybrids on the roster after Rock Ya-Sin, Amik Robertson and Khalil Dorsey. The practice squad is no help, with only DBs Eric Hallett and Loren Strickland on it, and both are technically Safeties. Once again, I saw some sloppy tackling and Quinshon Judkins getting 3-4 extra yards after contact, but ultimately it didn’t cost the Lions the game. The offense was “sloppy”, but some of that is attributed to the Browns defense. On Offense it feels like there we so many missed opportunities to Jameson Williams. He was open several times and the ball didn’t get there, and other times he wasn’t able to come up with tough, but catchable balls. The lone Goff Int was also a mis-read by either Goff or Jamo, not sure, but seems like the Lions should have gone away from the deeper routes earlier and focus on getting him and his speed against LBs and Safeties on those crossing routes like the one they hit for 27-yards in the 4th qtr.

DJ Reed on way back to locker room

What Went Right: The Lions offense shrugged off some mistakes and a very good defense to still put up 27 offensive points and had a punt return for a TD for good measure. Bates tied his career long on FG and the Lions came out of the game at 3-1. Did I mention that the Lions didn’t give up a sack despite Goff being under intense pressure? That is the third game in a row without giving one up, which is a record for the Lions in a season since sacks became an official stat in 1982. St Brown had 7 catches, 70 yards and two TDs, the first player against the Browns this year to get to all those totals combined. The defense, frankly, outplayed the vaunted Browns defense, notching 3 sacks, 3 INTs, 10 Passes Defensed and 9 QB hits while putting the offense in good position all game. A big reason is due to the outstanding LB play, as Anzalone, Barnes and Campbell are playing at elite levels, with Campbell playing at Pro Bowl level IMO. Combined, they had 24 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 PD and 2 QB hits. Outside of a few issues with tackling and getting dragged by Judkins for extra yards, they played outstanding in both run defense and coverage. Once again, Sheppard made great adjustments in-game and the defense got better as the game went on.

Hutchinson Strip Sack

Shout out to Campbell, Morton and Shephard for great adjustments and once again leaving their foot on the gas, outscoring the Browns 14-3 in the second half and putting the game away.

Amon-Ra St Brown TD No 1

What’s Next: The Lions return to the road and travel down I-75 to Cincinnati to play the Burrow-less Bengals Sunday at 1pm on Fox. The Bengals are 2-1 pending Monday nights outcome but are struggling mightily without Joe Burrow under center. They beat the Browns 17-16, Jaguars 31-27 and were skunked by the Vikings in the first game without Burrow, 48-10. Bengals are currently 28th in the NFL in pts allowed per game at 30.3, but only scoring 19.3 pts per game, which is good for 31st currently. The offense is dead last in YG at 220.7, and the Defense is 25th giving up 359.7 YPG. The Lions are No 1 in Pts per game at 34.3 and 6th in yards per game at 365.0. Defense is 11th in yards per game at 293.0 and 15th at 22.0 points per game allowed.