Detroit Lions cruise to easy win over Cleveland Browns, but lose top two cornerbacks to injury
Detroit — The Detroit Lions methodically earned a three-phase victory over the Cleveland Browns Sunday afternoon at Ford Field. However, the result potentially came with a steep cost.
Double-digit favorites entering the day, the Lions met and exceeded those expectations, grinding out a 34-10 win.
Detroit’s defense was stellar after allowing a long touchdown drive on Cleveland’s first possession, forcing three turnovers the rest of the way. The offense, meanwhile, cashed in on all three of its red zone opportunities against one of the NFL’s stingiest defenses. And punt returner Kalif Raymond added the exclamation point with a 65-yard touchdown return in the fourth quarter.
The notable downside from the afternoon is that the Lions suffered multiple injuries in the secondary, losing cornerbacks Terrion Arnold to a shoulder injury and DJ Reed to a hamstring injury, with the latter needing to be carted off the field.
Detroit finished the game with Amik Robertson and Rock-Ya Sin at cornerback.
Game ball
Two weeks ago, after dropping 52 points on the Bears, we awarded the game ball to offensive coordinator John Morton. This week, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard gets the honors.
Sheppard will undoubtedly be agitated that his group gave up an 88-yard drive to start the game. Regardless, they smothered the Browns the rest of the day, allowing just 45 yards and zero points the rest of the first half.
Scoring summary
First quarter
● 5:36 — Detroit battled some early struggles in man coverage with DJ Reed getting beat on a trio of throws for 48 yards and Terrion Arnold conceding a pair of first-down grabs on third-down snaps. With first-and-goal from the 1-yard line, it took the Browns four tries before Judkins punched it across the goal line. BROWNS 7, LIONS 0
● 3:20 — On the cusp of going three-and-out for a second consecutive possession to start the contest, quarterback Jared Goff rolled from pressure on third down and found Amon-Ra St. Brown open along the right sideline for a 25-yard gain.
Two penalties against Cleveland, including a 15-yard infraction for tripping, set Detroit up first-and-goal from the 8-yard line. Taking a handoff, Jahmyr Gibbs bounced right and picked up key blocks from St. Brown and Sam LaPorta to get into the end zone for the tying score. LIONS 7, BROWNS 7
Second quarter
● 14:17 - Following a takeaway late in the first quarter, the Lions picked up just 16 yards. Still, that was enough to get into field goal range for Jake Bates to knock down a 48-yarder to give the home team its first lead. LIONS 10, BROWNS 7
● 3:00 — Taking over deep in the red zone after an interception, the Lions needed three snaps to extend their lead to two scores. On third-and-goal from the 2-yard line, St. Brown came open out of play-action for an easy score. LIONS 17, BROWNS 7
● 0:08 — Starting at their own 16-yard line with 55 seconds remaining in the half, the Lions quickly worked into field goal range. The big gain was a 27-yard skinny post to LaPorta. Bates drilled a 58-yard attempt to extend the lead before the break. LIONS 20, BROWNS 7
Third quarter
● 6:44 — Starting across midfield after an interception, the Browns advanced to the red zone. Once inside the 20, they stalled, settling for a 33-yard field goal from kicker Andre Szmyt. LIONS 20, BROWNS 10
Fourth quarter
● 13:40 — After Reed was carted off with an injury, Raymond brought energy back into the building with a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown. LIONS 27, BROWNS 10
● 4:04 — Benefitting from another short field following a fumble recovery, St. Brown found paydirt for the second time, taking a quick throw in the slot on third-and-goal from the 8-yard line and racing into the end zone behind a block from Penei Sewell. LIONS 34, BROWNS 10
Turnovers
● On a third-and-8 snap in the first quarter, Browns QB Joe Flacco heaved a deep ball with no receiver in the vicinity, resulting in an easy interception for Lions safety Kerby Joseph.
● Reed powered through Jeudy to make an impressive diving interception in the second quarter, getting up and returning it 34 yards to Cleveland’s 5-yard line.
● Following a holding penalty in the third quarter, Goff attempted a deep shot to Williams out of play-action, but the pass was severely underthrown and easily intercepted by cornerback Denzel Ward.
● After having a forced fumble taken away by a penalty away from the ball earlier in the game, Hutchinson popped another one free from the grasp of Flacco in the fourth quarter, with linebacker Trevor Nowaske making the recovery for Detroit.
Key stats
● Goff didn’t have his best game, struggling to connect on several deep shots. He finished 16-of-27 for 168 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
● Detroit’s ground game became the first to top 100 yards against the Browns. Gibbs shouldered the load. With two gains of more than 20 yards, he finished with 91 yards on 15 carries.
● St. Brown paced the Lions with seven catches for 70 yards to go with the two scores.
● Jack Campbell racked up a team-high 11 tackles, including seven solo stops. Hutchinson recorded a pair of sacks, two more QB hits and the forced fumble.
Injuries
● Joseph exited in the second quarter with a knee injury. He went down while blocking on Reed’s interception return. Requiring the help of multiple members of the team’s training staff, Joseph was immediately taken to the locker room for further evaluation. Still, he was able to return to action in the third quarter.
● After making a run stop in the third quarter, Arnold was slow to get up. He spent a few minutes on the turf before going into the medical tent. It was announced he was questionable to return with a shoulder injury before he went from the tent into the locker room for additional evaluation.
● Early in the fourth quarter, Reed went down clutching his hamstring after being targeted on a deep throw. A cart was quickly brought out to whisk the cornerback to the locker room.
Notable
● Wide receiver Jackson Meeks and safety Thomas Harper were both active for the first time since joining the Lions.
● The Lions defense has allowed a touchdown on the opponents’ first possession in all four games to start the season.
● For the second time this season, a penalty against Brian Branch negated a turnover. Hutchinson forced a fumble that was recovery by Jack Campbell. However, a defensive holding call against Branch wiped the takeaway off the books.
● It was a tough day for the speedy Williams, who couldn’t hang on to two balls that hit him in the hands. The first was a deep ball that had him spin back toward the sideline. The second, in the red zone, contributed to a turnover on downs.
Inactives
The Lions scratched running back Sione Vaki, linebacker Zach Cunningham, center Kingsley Eguadun and defensive linemen Chris Smith and Mekhi Wingo.
Vaki (groin) and Cunningham (hamstring) were ruled out on Friday due to injuries. The other three are healthy scratches.
The Browns entered the afternoon without starter Jack Conklin, who missed a third straight game with an elbow injury.
Next game
The Lions head back on the road to battle the Bengals in Cincinnati on Sunday, October 5, at 4:25 p.m.
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