Cleveland’s Week 3 comeback win over the Green Bay Packers marked the first time an opponent eclipsed 50 rushing yards against the unit thus far, and no one would claim running back Josh Jacobs (1.9 yards per carry) or anyone else on Green Bay was particularly effective.
It was against those Packers, in their season opener, that the Lions had the most trouble finding traction on the ground. They only managed 46 rushing yards, but have since looked transformed back to their old selves in every facet of offense, and across the past two contests racked up 401 rushing yards.
Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have led that charge, taking turns doing damage as usual, and head into Sunday’s matchup as the only running back teammates with three-plus rushing touchdowns apiece in 2025.
For all his confidence in his defense, Garrett did give those two and the Lions their props.
“I won’t take away anything from the offensive line,” he said. “They are getting after guys, moving guys. They like to be aggressive and really stick to blocks. Them doubles happen, getting guys out of the way like we saw in the Ravens game. The diversity they have in the backfield with (Nos.) 0 and 5 really makes them difficult to handle.”
Still, Garrett is not unused to defusing such threats.
“It’s gonna be a physical battle,” he said. “We’re not unaccustomed to those kind of matters being in the AFC North, so gotta go in there with the helmet buckled and ready to go. It’s gonna be a physical affair for the four quarters. … Looking forward to it being as physical as they want to.”
Garrett added: “They want to run the ball as much as possible and we love stopping the run.”
On Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, an unstoppable force meets an immovable object — Detroit’s rushing attack versus Cleveland’s front seven.
One will come away with an “I told you so.”