20man: This is such a tricky game for me looking at Detroit’s offense facing a stout Browns defense who is one of those rare units that is good both against the run and the pass. They rank No. 1 against the run allowing just 57.3 yards per game and No. 4 against the pass (147.0).
I think it’s dangerous against this defense to go into the game saying, ‘OK Jared Goff this one is on you. We’re throwing it 40 to 50 times a game.’ The Browns have 11 sacks on the season, second most in the NFL. Detroit must try to establish the run early and adjust thereafter.
Detroit’s rushing attack is unique from other teams around the league in that they can do it all, between the tackles or wide zone or the pitch game out wide. Their two backs and the versatility along their offensive front allows them to attack defenses with the run like most teams can’t.
I’d expect Detroit to try to establish the run even though this Brown defense limited Josh Jacobs to 44 yards (81 total rushing for Packers) and Derrick Henry to 23 yards (45 total for Ravens rushing) the last two weeks. Cincinnati only had 43 rushing yards Week 1.
It’s a good run defense, no doubt, but good offenses try to dictate the type of game they want to play and adjust from there. The good thing is Detroit can win multiple ways on offense whether it’s the run or the pass, and when they’re really playing well a combination of both.