3. Browns control the run game, but Stafford shreds the secondary.
The one bright spot for the Browns this year has been the run defense. Right now, Cleveland is fourth in the NFL, allowing just 84.3 yards per game.
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The front seven has been great, but the secondary has really struggled.
The Browns get cornerback Jason McCourty back this week, but it may not matter.
The Lions pose one of the league’s best receiving duos in Golden Tate and Marvin Jones. Last week, both had over 100 yards receiving and seven catches apiece, while Jones caught two touchdowns.
Both receivers excel in different areas of the field – Tate, underneath; Jones, down the field. It will be extremely difficult for the Browns to slow them both down.
Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams also heaped praise on Stafford on Friday.
#Browns DC Gregg Williams speaking now. Said this will be good matchup for us, think Matthew Stafford is real deal, throws ball as well as anyone in NFL, have coached team that has faced him pretty much every year, so have good familiarity
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) November 10, 2017
Lions running back Ameer Abdullah has struggled on the ground mightily this year. He has no 100-yard games, while averaging just 3.4 yards per carry. Against the Browns’ tough run defense, this only furthers the idea that Stafford will air it our early and often.
The Browns have not figured out how to stop opposing quarterbacks this year. While the bye week likely helped, especially in terms of getting healthy, Stafford is an elite quarterback capable of dominating any defense on any Sunday.
He should do it once again on Sunday, as the Browns continue to search for answers.