Tag: NFL

Browns’ defense is stellar, but they haven’t faced a run game like the Lions

RBs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs provide 1-2 punch

ALLEN PARK — Running against the Cleveland Browns defense has been problematic for the first three opponents. It’s why the Browns are rated tops in the NFL in rushing defense allowing just 57.3 rushing yards per game.

It should be interesting when the Lions (2-1) host the Browns (1-2) at Ford Field on Sunday.

“I don’t think they’ve seen a run game like ours yet,’’ Lions offensive coordinator John Morton said on Thursday.

Something will have to give because the Lions own the NFL’s fourth best rushing offense, averaging 149 yards per game. The Browns have given up an average of 57.3 rushing yards per game.

Running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 218 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

 “They feed off each other, they’re both obviously incredibly hard-working and good players,’’ Lions quarterback Jared Goff said. “But I think the energy, they kind of feed off each other. One of them’s running well, the other guy wants to run well too and they’re as good as it gets.”

In his first season as Lions offensive coordinator, Morton is no stranger to Montgomery and Gibbs. He said he’s known they were special since the day they arrived in Detroit. 

“Really, I mean both of them. I saw D-Mo from across the field for years in Chicago and I was shocked when they let him walk. And then shoot, when we landed him it was like, ‘Holy smokes, we just got one of the best backs in the League,’’’ Morton said. “And then you draft Gibbs, it’s like, ‘Wow, we’ve got two of the best backs in the League.’’’

He agrees with Goff that they feed off each other. Of course, they do not do it alone.

In the Week 1 loss, the offensive line had communication issues. Gibbs and Montgomery combined for just 44 yards in the loss. Since the O-line has meshed and improved communication, the pair combined for 151 rushing yards and two rushing TDs in a win over Bears and 218 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns  in Baltimore.

They also benefit from blocking by the wide receivers and tight ends.

“It’s the best I’ve ever seen in my 28 years of coaching, the way these WRs block, the way Scottie (Montgomery, running backs coach) gets these guys to play. I don’t think there’s too many teams — the Rams with Cooper Kupp and those guys — they do the same thing,’’ Morton said.

“I always tell the wideouts, man, when the tight ends and the O-line and backs block for us, when the time comes our turn to block for them, we have to do the same thing,’’ Morton said. “That’s the beauty about this team. It’s so team oriented nobody cares about how many balls, this and that, it’s just about winning. When we do that we’re pretty good.’’

SUNDAY: Browns (1-2) at Lions (2-1), 1 p.m. at Ford Field. The game will be televised on FOX with Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma on the call.

Lions Dan Campbell cherishes a good challenge; calls schedule the ‘right kind of brutal’

ALLEN PARK — With the OTAs this week, the Detroit Lions are taking the next step toward the start of the season in September.

Coach Dan Campbell sees a few challenges ahead. One of them is the schedule which he calls “the right kind of brutal.”

While outsiders may look at the Lions’ game schedule and think maybe the team is headed for a season of disappointment, that is not the way Campbell sees it at all.

“I love the schedule we have this year, this is the type of schedule that builds you for the postseason. We’re going to get tested early and often and all year long and it’s freakin’ awesome. It’s really how you want it,’’ Campbell said on Friday prior to the on-field work. “We’ll be ready to go when the time is right.’’

That’s because his message, as usual, is there is no room for complacency.

“We’ve gotten to where we’ve gotten because we haven’t been complacent and we have gone and put the work in again and done all the little things you have to do to win games and win the division again. We have to do that all over again,’’ the coach said.

He said the challenge is why he loved this game and why the NFL is the best.
“Not only (games) here at home, our own division, go on the road, it’s awesome. To me, by the end of the year we ought to  be scarred up, scarred up and ready to, hardened for battle and ready for the playoffs,’’ Campbell said. “There’ll be nothing easy about it. Just to get through our own division is going to be brutal, but it’s the right kind of brutal.”

Another challenge is that he is working with two new coordinators – John Morton on offense and Kelvin Sheppard on defense. Plus new personnel and a few in new positions.

“We’ve got offensively and defensively staffwise either new coaches or in new positions or first time having the room — that’s 14 guys, that’s a lot,’’ Campbell said. 

He’s got to get everyone on the same page by making sure the coordinators want what they want and they also know what Campbell wants.

“This is the best time to do that, we’re working through the kinks which is awesome,’’ Campbell  “It’s only been two days but it’s been really good. Guys are in a good spot, good energy, thorough has been awesome.’’

Lions RBs Montgomery and Gibbs could be a problem for the Commanders

Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs missed his sidekick David Montgomery for the final three regular season games. 

On Saturday night, in the NFL divisional round game against the Washington Commanders, they will be back together against a team that’s ranked 30th in rushing defense.

“It’s going to be great, I missed him a lot, being around him everyday. Not being around him everyday was so much different,’’ Gibbs said on Wednesday. “Just being on the sideline with him, cracking jokes and stuff just watching him play – he’s a great player. I love watching what he does. It’s going to be fun to get back to what we were doing.’’

And what they were doing is helping the Lions to a 15-2 record and smashing franchise records along the way.

Even though he missed his buddy, Gibbs excelled in those three Montgomery-less games — all wins. He had 64 carries, 365 rushing yards and 5 rushing touchdowns, along with 13 catches for 122 yards and a receiving touchdown.

Typically, Montgomery starts the game and the two alternate depending on who is having success. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson wouldn’t say if that will be the case on Saturday. 

“It’s to be determined. Gibbs has certainly had a hot hand as of late and I expect David to come in and pick up where he left off,’’ Johnson said. “If the last two days (of practice) are any indication, he’s of the right mindset right now.’’

Montgomery, who rehabbed from an MCL sprain that happened on Dec. 15, is ready. He doesn’t want a pitch count, he just wants to go. 

This dynamic duo was part of Campbell and GM Brad Holmes’ plan all along. They signed Montgomery as a free agent from the Bears in March 2023, and then a month later drafted Gibbs in the first round in a move that drew criticism from around the League. Obviously they’ve been vindicated.

Campbell said they were lucky to play in the NFC North with Montgomery.

“He was a pain in the rear. I hated playing against him because I thought he was a hammer. And we’ve got even better than that and I thought he was a good player.  A tone-setter, heavy, great feet, can cut, finishing power, can protect, (he’s a) receiver out of the back. He can do it all. He’s a hammer.’’

Campbell said when he and Holmes scouted Gibbs they were blown away.

“We saw the fit immediately,’’ Campbell said. “For us it was always about a 1-2 punch.’’

(UP NEXT: Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions, 8 p.m. on Saturday at Ford Field.)