In spite of their best efforts, the Cleveland Browns (0-8) will play football yet again. This time they’ll be making the attempt at Ford Field when they take on the Detroit Lions (4-4) Sunday.
This game, whether they want to do it or not, will be broadcast on the CBS network and its local stations at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions (-10.5)
O/U: 43.5
The History
The Lions and Browns have played 23 times going back to 1952. Detroit holds an 18-5 advantage in the all time series.
The two teams spent the 1950s as bitter rivals in the pre-merger NFL. They met in the playoffs four times over the decade with the Lions winning three of them.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-8)
Where to even start with this dumpster fire? I guess with DeShone Kizer, who is slated to start at quarterback once again. I don’t want you to read that like it matters. The Browns are losing this game regardless of who is under center, Kizer, Kessler, Hogan or whoever. I just want to remind my fellow NFL writers and scouts that for a whole lot of the draft process Kizer was the No. 1 quarterback on a lot of lists. Not mine, but a lot.
Of course, Hue Jackson tried to replace him with A.J. McCarron last week in a desperation move saved by Cleveland’s own incompetence. Either that or general manager Sashi Brown purposefully screwed up the trade paperwork to keep from giving up a second and third round pick to a division opponent for McCarron. Now, Brown has denied tanking the deal, which just makes him look worse. I mean, was he for it and still just screwed it up by not checking his watch?
Regardless, the new regime coming in next season will be damn glad to have those picks to replace this murderer’s row of shittiness Brown and Jackson have put together. Cleveland literally needs everything. Mainly a new coach, new GM and new owner. They’ll probably get at least two of those things.
Here’s some good news, I guess. The Browns have just one player designated as questionable on their injury report; defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi. Everybody else is healthy and will play for whatever good it will do.
DETROIT LIONS (4-4)
The Lions aren’t so lucky with their injury list. Guard T.J. Lang and rookie linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin are both out. Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah is doubtful and didn’t practice all week. Kenny Golladay and safety Don Carey are questionable, but practiced. They should play.
Detroit should have a vastly superior offensive line for this game too as offensive tackle Taylor Decker and his back up Corey Robinson were both activated from the physically unable to perform list. In a corresponding move, the Lions cut former Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams first round bust Greg Robinson.
Did Detroit’s 30-17 win over the Green Bay Packers mean anything with Aaron Rodgers sidelined? It stopped a three game losing streak and ended the toughest part of their schedule. They now face the Browns, then the Chicago Bears before hosting the Minnesota Vikings with Case Keenum at quarterback on Nov. 23. After that, it’s the Baltimore Ravens, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bears again, the Cincinnati Bengals then the Packers again. There’s every reason to believe Detroit can go 6-2 easily over that stretch and finish 10-6 on the year, locking down a wild card spot at least.
Matthew Stafford should be able to do whatever he wants in this game. Last week against the Packers he was 26 of 33 for 361 yards and two touchdowns. Golden Tate and Marvin Jones Jr. both went over the century mark, catching seven passes apiece. Tate had 113 yards and Jones finished with 107 and two touchdowns.
The Pick
Are you kidding? Detroit is playing Cleveland at home. There’s no reason to believe this one will be close for a half. Lions 38, Browns 16
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 9-4
Against the spread: 11-2
Season
Straight up: 78-54
Against the spread: 69-62
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