The Detroit Lions running game facing the Cleveland Browns defense was a major storyline entering Week 4. That was in large part because of a little bit of trash talk, including from Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, between the two sides prior to the matchup.
After the showdown, though, Garrett only had positive things to say about the Lions ground attack.
“Hats off to them. They ran the ball well enough to keep it as a main feature of the game. That’s what they wanted to do,” Garrett told reporters, via MLive.com’s Jacob Richman. “They’re gritty. They’re tough, and they want to move guys off the ball and for some of the game, they did that.”
The Lions finished Week 4 against the Browns with 109 rushing yards. Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 91 yards and a touchdown on just 15 carries.
Myles Garrett Praises Lions Run Offense
Garrett didn’t completely concede that the Lions got the better of the Browns on the ground Sunday. Nor should he have. Overall, Cleveland held the Lions to 3.8 yards per carry.
But the Lions ran for more yards against the Browns than any of the team’s other three opponents to begin this season. In fact, Cleveland held its opponents in Weeks 1 and 2 to 91 rushing yards combined.
Entering Week 4, the Browns owned the No. 1 run defense in the league.
Gibbs was, by far, the most impactful Lions runner Sunday. David Montgomery ran for only 12 yards on nine carries. Wide receiver Jameson Williams recorded a 3-yard loss on his only carry.
Garrett registered one tackle for loss and two quarterback hits against Jared Goff. But as the defensive lineman explained, the Lions ran effectively enough to stay out of obvious passing situations.
The Lions also protected Goff very well when they did pass. Cleveland had zero sacks in Week 4.
Lions, Browns Exchanged Words Prior to Week 4
Garrett complimented the Lions rushing attack a few days after he and Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz questioned Lions OC John Morton’s claim that Cleveland had yet to see a running game like Detroit’s.
“I mean, we’ve faced some good running offenses,” Schwartz said to the media Thursday, via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. “I mean, Green Bay was running the ball really well, so was Baltimore. Cincinnati was more of a pass-game offense. So, you know, it’s one of the major things we have to do is stop the run.”
Before Sunday’s game, the Browns had not allowed more than 81 rushing yards in a game this season.
“He’s entitled to his opinion. He hasn’t seen a defensive front like ours,” Garrett said, via WEWS’s Camryn Justin. “He’s entitled to say what he wants, and we have the privilege to see who’s right.”
Honestly, Morton and the Browns were both a little bit right. But the Lions received the last laugh, as their running game helped propel them to a 34-10 victory.
The Lions will continue their tour through the AFC North with a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5.
The Bengals still have to play during Week 4 on Monday Night Football. But in both Weeks 2 and 3, the Bengals defense allowed at least 139 rushing yards.
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