Detroit Lions stock watch: Saving big plays for big moments
By Matt Bosko
The Detroit Lions used a convincing late surge to defeat the winless Cleveland Browns, rallying after early struggles put them in danger of an embarrassing loss.
Sooner or later we are just going to have to accept the Detroit Lions just will not make it easy. Not for the fans, and not for themselves.
It was not always pretty, but the Lions were resilient and came away with a key victory against the Cleveland Browns.
STOCK UP
CB Darius Slay
The vitriol directed at Darius Slay by a surprising amount of Lions fans is incomprehensible.
Slay once again proved that he is one of the top corners in the game against the Browns on Sunday, finishing with five passes defended and an interception in the end zone to end the game.
The Lions’ top corner made life extremely difficult for Browns receivers all game long. As ProFootballFocus notes, Slay gave up only 42 yards on 11 targets.
Regardless of his stat line, I placed Golladay here just because he was able to suit up.
The Lions and their fans were teased by Golladay’s flashes of big-play ability as early as the preseason, and he delivered in the season’s first week. Since then, however, the Lions prized rookie weapon has been a non-factor due to a lingering hamstring injury.
His presence on the field allowed Jim Bob Cooter to open up the playbook a bit more than usual on Sunday, and it paid off in a critical situation.
With the Lions trailing 24-17 late in the third quarter, Matthew Stafford hit Golladay on consecutive plays for 14-yard and 50-yard completions, including a gem of a throw and catch along the sideline. The Lions scored two plays later to tie the game.
Golladay only played 11 snaps on offense, but he made them count. More importantly, he avoided another setback. It looks like he is finally on his way back to full health.
CB Nevin Lawson
Lawson’s performance on Sunday personified the Lions’ overall effort: disaster struck early and redemption followed.
On the Browns’ second drive of the game, Lawson was beat by Kenny Britt for a 19-yard touchdown. It appeared that Lawson was caught looking in the backfield while Britt ran right by him.
Later in the second quarter, Lawson changed the momentum in the Lions favor with a terrific play against Browns’ tight end Seth DeValve. Lawson punched the ball loose, scooped it up, and took it 44 yards for a touchdown.
We all know that the Lions are a resilient team. Lawson’s perseverance was impressive, and is a primary reason that Teryl Austin values his presence on the field.
STOCK DOWN
Run Defense
Woof.
The Lions’ front four was bullied for most of the game by the Browns’ offensive line. It didn’t matter if it was DeShone Kizer, Isaiah Crowell, or Duke Johnson, the Lions were incapable of stopping any of the Browns rushing attack on Sunday.
The Browns’ trio carried the ball 33 times for 201 yards and two touchdowns.
The Lions had trouble filling in gaps up the middle, allowing Crowell and Johnson plenty of space to break away for significant yardage. When the Lions did adjust, they failed to set the edge, which allowed Kizer to break the pocket and scramble.
The absence of Ezekiel Ansah was significant. While his statistics may not jump out as he continues to battle injuries, Ansah is one of the Lions’ most disciplined defenders up front.
Next: Lions game balls for win over the Browns
Regardless of whether Ansah is healthy enough to play next week, the Lions have some work to do to shore up their run defense. The Bears’ duo of Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen will not make it easy for them.