The Detroit Lions scored another impressive 34-10 win on Sunday over the Cleveland Browns. Each week in practice, Dan Campbell emphasizes playing “complementary football.” Sunday’s victory underscored why it’s so important.
Detroit Lions at 3-1 Playing Complementary Football
Campbell referred to the 52-21 win over the Chicago Bears two weeks ago as a great example.“You talk about complementary football, we played off each other. And when we needed it, the units picked it up. That was a good team win.”
The Lions’ Run Game is Something Special
In preparing for this week’s game, OC John Morton was asked about facing the NFL’s number one run rushing defense . Although he complimented the Browns tough defense, he stated bluntly, “I don’t think they’ve seen a run game like ours yet.”
Morton was right. While the Browns successfully held Josh Jacobs to 30 yards on 16 carries and Derrick Henry to 11 rushes for 23 yards, the league’s top RB duo , David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, gouged Cleveland’s number one-ranked defense for 109 rushing yards and a touchdown.
The Lions’ Offensive Line Held Tough
The offensive line did a tremendous job protecting Jared Goff, who finished the game 16 of 27 for 168 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Amon-Ra St. Brown had another exceptional game, scoring two touchdowns and proving as reliable as ever when Goff needed a clutch 3rd-down reception.
Lions Defense Steps Up In A Big Way
Making matters even more painful for the visiting team, the Lions’ defense played an outstanding game, forcing three turnovers. Kerby Joseph and D.J Reed each had an interception, and Aidan Hutchinson forced a fumble. After a rushing touchdown by Quinshon Judkins on their very first possession and a 38-yard field goal by Andre Szmyt , the Lions’ defense held the Browns scoreless in the second half.
Instead of Myles Garrett sacking Goff, the Lions delivered the punishment. Aidan Hutchinson recorded his second and third sacks of the season, along with four quarterback hits, four tackles (two TFLs), and a forced fumble that was recovered by Trevor Nowaske. Alex Anzalone contributed a third sack on Joe Flacco. Jack Campbell had another outstanding game; he was seemingly everywhere, creating chaos, and finished with 11 total tackles (seven solo).
Lions Special Teams Were Simply Outstanding
But when Campbell refers to complementary football, he is talking about all three units stepping up. On Sunday, Dave Fipp’s special teams unit delivered in a big way. Wide receiver and return specialist Kalif Raymond had a sensational 65-yard punt return. Jake Bates had a perfect afternoon, matching his previous longest field goal of 58 yards and adding another 48-yard field goal plus four out of four extra points. Former UFL all-star running back Jacob Saylors had a great afternoon with two kickoff returns for 51 yards and his first two carries for 11 yards.
Complimentary Football Could Be the Key This Season
The Lions are now at 3-1 on the season, with the disastrous first week’s loss to the Green Bay Packers a distant memory. Speaking about the Bears game , Campbell maintained the key to that victory was the way the team played off each other, “I just thought we played really good complementary football. We played complementary offensive football on that side too, the way everything was setting up, the play-action pass, the run game, drop back, and then the short, intermediate screens. All of it, it was good.”
Next Sunday afternoon, the Lions take on the Cincinnati Bengals on the road. Once again, the Motor City team is running on all cylinders and looking like one of the best in the NFL.
Main Image: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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