The Detroit Lions are now 3-1 following a big win over the Cleveland Browns. While Detroit didn’t play the prettiest of games, there were many big moments in this game that helped shut down Cleveland’s offense and give the team their third win in a row.
Game ball: Kerby Joseph
Stats: 3 tackles (1 solo, 2 assist), 1 INT
The first quarter of this game made it seem like there would be a shootout between these two offenses. The Browns’ defense forced a punt on the opening drive and went on to score soon after. Detroit fired back with a touchdown to tie the game, but things went downhill for Cleveland quickly once they had possession of the ball again.
On first down, the Browns got a 2-yard gain on a Joe Flacco-Quinshon Judkins connection. They tried to run it with Judkins on the following play but he was stopped dead at the line of scrimmage. At this point in the game, Flacco was a perfect six-of-six for 70 yards. That perfect streak didn’t last long thanks to former league-leader in interceptions, Kerby Joseph.
On third-and-8, Flacco took a shot downfield for receiver Cedric Tillman, only Tillman was nowhere near where the ball was thrown. It’s unclear if there was a miscommunication on the play or if the receiver ran the wrong route, but what we do know is that he was jammed on his route by Terrion Arnold, and the ball was instead delivered straight into the hands of Joseph.
This play seemed to have sucked all of the life out of Cleveland’s offense, as they did not look the same for the remainder of the game. They did make a field goal in the third quarter, but did not find the endzone again in this matchup.
Honorable mention: Kalif Raymond
Detroit’s special teams unit used to be one of the bets in the league under coordinator Dave Fipp. Through their first three games, however, they looked far from perfect.
That changed against the Browns with a huge return from former All-Pro Kalif Raymond. Browns punter Corey Bojorquez had a 39-yard kick to Raymond that resulted in a 65-yard return for a touchdown. In the process, Raymond made several defenders miss and benefitted from the punter simply not attempting a touchdown-saving tackle.
This marks Raymond’s third career punt return touchdown, all of which came as a Detroit Lion.
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