{"id":248007,"date":"2025-09-27T16:00:26","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T20:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=248007"},"modified":"2025-09-27T14:10:05","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T18:10:05","slug":"prediction-detroit-lions-will-hold-tough-against-the-cleveland-browns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/09\/27\/prediction-detroit-lions-will-hold-tough-against-the-cleveland-browns\/","title":{"rendered":"Predictions Detroit Lions v. The Cleveland Browns"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

The 2-1 Detroit Lions host the 1-2 Cleveland Browns, with both teams coming off impressive Week 3 upset victories.\u00a0 <\/span>The Browns notched a thrilling 13-10 victory over the 2-0 Green Bay Packers on a walk-off 55-yard field goal by kicker Andre Szmyt<\/a> just as the clock ran out.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Prediction: Detroit Lions Will Hold Tough Against The Cleveland Browns<\/h2>\r\n

The Lions claimed a stunning 38-30 road game victory over Lamar Jackson<\/a> and the Baltimore Ravens<\/a>, one of the toughest matchups in the NFL. \u00a0Although both teams are entering the game fueled by their recent victories, the Lions’ potent offense is loaded with multiple options. \u00a0The sheer volume of the Lions’ offensive weaponry will prove hard for even the NFL’s best defense to adequately cover.<\/p>\r\n

Flacco v. Goff: The Gold Standard v. The MVP<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Joe Flacco<\/a>, the 2012 Super Bowl MVP and 2023 Comeback Player of the Year, is back for a second stint with the Cleveland Browns. Although the 18-year veteran hasn\u2019t played a full season since 2017, Flacco is the “Gold Standard” for reliable quarterbacks who can come off the bench to win football games. Flacco offers stability to a Cleveland team in search of a path forward. \u00a0An NFL journeyman from five different NFL teams, he’s accumulated an impressive resume of 46,328 career passing yards, 259 touchdowns, and another 16 rushing scores.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

In 2016, at the height of his career with the Ravens, Flacco passed for 4,317 yards with 20 touchdowns with 58 yards rushing, and two touchdowns. Seven years later, in 2023, he led Cleveland to a playoff berth after a season-ending injury to quarterback Deshaun Watson<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Veteran Journeyman To The Rescue\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n

Following their drama-filled draft when the Browns selected quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel<\/a> in the third round and Shedeur Sanders<\/a> in the fifth round, the team was in need of veteran leadership. But ultimately, Coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t feel either rookie was ready to assume the number one role. Flacco was given the starting assignment. \u00a0Despite solid play from the veteran, t<\/span>he Browns lost a close 17-16 Week 1 battle to the Cincinnati Bengals and another challenging 41-17 division contest in Week 2 to the Ravens. Flacco enters the game with 631 passing yards, two touchdowns, four interceptions, and one fumble. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Goff, The Master of The Offense<\/span><\/h3>\r\n
\"\"
Jan 18, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Washington Commanders in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

Jared Goff,<\/a> the Lions\u2019 elite MVP-caliber quarterback, is the NFL\u2019s most underrated quarterback. \u00a0After a stunning Week 2 performance against the Chicago Bears, Goff was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week<\/a>.\u00a0 N<\/span>umber two on the ESPN list<\/a> with a 79.4% passer rating, Goff has 731 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

But, as Dan Campbell pointed out<\/a>, his star quarterback does much more than toss a football.\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou talk about running the quarterback position, nobody\u2019s playing it better than him right now. Describing Goff\u2019s performance in the Baltimore game, he stated, “There\u2019s a number of things \u2014 people have no idea \u2014 that he did in that game that was big time, man.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Speaking with Jeremy Reisman of PrideOfDetroit.com<\/a>, Campbell continued, \u201cI\u2019m talking about high-level quarterback play. High level with the function from the play in the huddle, all of our different audible system that we have that he can get into per play, per look. And then in the moment: crowd noise, everything, critical moments, and just some of the little nuances of the position that he did \u2014 get everybody set up right, make sure we\u2019re all on point-it was just, I\u2019m telling you the guy is playing at a very high level.”<\/p>\r\n

Prediction:<\/strong> Flacco delivers a strong performance, but the Lions’ elite leader with a Master\u2019s Degree in QB Intelligence will put up more points. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Browns Ground Game<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

The Browns selected Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins<\/a> with the 36th pick in the second round of the 2025 draft.\u00a0 <\/span>The third running back selected in the draft, Judkins, followed the selections of Ashton Jeanty<\/a> (Las Vegas Raiders<\/a>) and Omarion Hampton<\/a> (Los Angeles Chargers<\/a>).\u00a0 <\/span>Appearing in two games, Judkins has 28 carries for 155 yards with one touchdown, along with four receptions for 11 yards. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Jeanty has 19 receptions for 38 yards and one touchdown, while Hampton has 42 receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown. Judkins is clearly an emerging star and has earned the number one slot over fellow rookie Dylan\u00a0<\/a>Sampson\u00a0<\/a>and<\/span>\u00a0veteran Jerome Ford<\/a>. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The One-Two Punch of Gibbs and Montgomery\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Despite the obvious upside of Judkins, Cleveland\u2019s ground game can\u2019t touch the speed, power, and elusiveness of the league\u2019s top RB duo<\/a>, David Montgomery<\/a> and Jahmyr Gibbs.<\/a>\u00a0 After Montgomery\u2019s late-season injury last year, Gibbs stepped up.\u00a0 <\/span>Shouldering the backfield burden, he recorded 365 yards on 64 carries with three touchdowns. Gibbs <\/span>added another 122 yards on 13 receptions with one touchdown. His breakout game in Week 18 which Gibbs scored four touchdowns against the Minnesota Vikings, earned him the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.<\/p>\r\n

Last week against the Ravens, Montgomery was the one to have a breakout game. <\/a>He put up a flawless 151 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns, along with a 72-yard high-speed breakaway. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

While \u201cD-Mo\u201d may feel like the forgotten member of the duo at times, it\u2019s clear his coach hasn\u2019t forgotten his contribution. When asked about Montgomery\u2019s performance during a recent media session, Campbell enthused, \u201cI haven\u2019t forgotten about David, so I can tell you that right now. He\u2019s exactly what we know he is. We know what David is. I mean, that\u2019s his type of game. That\u2019s right up his alley. And so, we know the kind of back he is. We feel like he can do everything for us. And the one-two punch with him and (Lions RB Jahmyr) Gibbs, we think, is what makes both of those guys pretty special. They play off of each other, they give each other a breather, and we trust both of them in the game to do multiple jobs. And that guy, he\u2019s special.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Facing A Tough Cleveland Defense\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

As talented as Gibbs and Montgomery are, this game could prove their biggest challenge thus far. Cleveland\u2019s notoriously stingy defense is first in total defense and against the run. The Browns allowed the NFL’s fewest rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Josh Jacobs was held to 30 yards on 16 carries last week, while Derrick Henry had 11 rushes for 23 yards in Week 2. The Browns’ defense under DC Jim Schwartz (previously the Lions HC from 2009-2013) is currently ranked fourth against the pass. Superstar EDGE Myles Garrett leads the team with 4.0 sacks. DT Maliek Collins is another impact player. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

However, with the outstanding play of Penei Sewell (98.7) and Tate Ratledge (91.4), the Lions’ offensive line had their best outing last week.\u00a0 <\/span>PFF.com<\/a> graded both players in the 90s for their protection of Goff, which limited Baltimore to eight pressures. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Prediction:<\/b> Detroit’s offensive line will pick up where it left off last week, delivering another strong performance. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Lions’ Defense Could Be The Difference Maker\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\r\n

The Lions’ defense was outstanding on Monday night, making it a very long night for Jackson with 7.0 sacks and 34 QB pressures. \u00a0There were so many outstanding performances; DC Kelvin Sheppard and the entire defense should stand up and take a bow. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Prediction:<\/strong> If the defense plays like that again on Sunday afternoon, Flacco is susceptible to pressure. \u00a0If successful in forcing turnovers, the Lions will be looking at a 3-1 start for the season.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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