The buildup to Sunday’s matchup between the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns has been dominated by one storyline: can Detroit’s surging ground attack find success against the NFL’s stingiest run defense? Lions offensive coordinator John Morton added fuel to the fire earlier in the week when he confidently declared that Cleveland hadn’t faced a rushing attack quite like Detroit’s.
Morton’s comments quickly drew attention, setting the stage for a clash of strengths. On Thursday, Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who knows Detroit well from his days as the Lions’ head coach, was asked to weigh in. His reaction wasn’t fiery or defensive—rather, it was calm and calculated.
“We’ve already gone up against some very strong run games,” Schwartz said, via the Detroit Free Press. “Green Bay’s running the ball effectively, and Baltimore’s been dangerous on the ground too. Cincinnati throws more, but every week we’re challenged. Against Detroit, the challenge is unique because they’ve got two versatile backs, you need to protect the edges, and with Gibbs especially, you have to defend every yard of the field. Plus, their short passing game really functions like an extension of their rushing attack.”
Lions Bring Momentum into Week 4
Morton has every reason to be confident. Detroit enters the game ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing, averaging 149 yards per outing. Their latest performance against Baltimore was nothing short of dominant. Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 224 yards and four touchdowns, consistently breaking tackles and wearing down the Ravens’ front seven.
That success was a reminder of how central the ground game is to Detroit’s offensive identity. Behind one of the league’s most disciplined and physical offensive lines, the Lions have thrived on patience, balance, and commitment to the run, often using it to set up explosive play-action passes downfield.
Cleveland’s Defense Stands Tall
Yet if there’s any defense built to counter that strategy, it’s Cleveland’s. Under Schwartz’s leadership, the Browns have been nothing short of elite against the run. Through three games, they’ve surrendered a league-low 57.3 rushing yards per contest. No opponent has managed more than 90 yards on the ground, with Green Bay (81 yards), Baltimore (45), and Cincinnati (46) all struggling to get anything going.
For Cleveland, the formula has been clear: discipline in the trenches, strong tackling, and defenders staying in their gaps. Schwartz emphasized that shutting down Detroit’s backs, particularly the explosive Gibbs, will come down to avoiding breakdowns that can lead to big plays.
A Personal Twist to the Matchup
For Lions fans, there’s added intrigue in seeing Schwartz return as the architect of the Browns’ defense. From 2009 to 2013, he guided Detroit through a pivotal stretch, drafting franchise cornerstones such as Matthew Stafford and Ndamukong Suh. Now, he faces the challenge of slowing down a team that has found its modern identity in physical, run-first football.
The Bigger Picture
At its core, Sunday’s showdown is shaping up to be a true test of wills. Morton believes Detroit’s offensive line and running backs can eventually grind down any opponent, no matter how tough. Schwartz and his defense, however, have shown they can stonewall anyone’s rushing attack and force teams to win another way.
It’s the irresistible force against the immovable object. The scoreboard may not show Morton versus Schwartz, but their duel in the trenches could decide who walks out of Ford Field victorious.
