No one has been able to run on the Cleveland Browns, but Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton believes the Lions' offensive line and rushing attack are up for the challenge.
Speaking with the media on Thursday, Morton was asked about the Browns' run defense, which currently leads the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game with 57.3. Morton complimented the "tough" Browns defense, but expressed confidence, saying, "Our front right now, we're moving guys. I don't think they've seen a run game like ours yet." Morton further elaborated, saying, "And, you know, we have patience. We stick with it. I think that's the biggest thing. Let's keep doing what we've been doing."
"I don't think they've seen a run game like ours yet" will certainly be bulletin board material for a run defense that has held Cincinnati Bengals' Chase Brown to 43 yards, Baltimore Ravens' Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson to 23 and 13 yards, and Green Bay Packers' Josh Jacobs to 30 yards.
To a degree, Morton is correct. The Lions will have the best running back duo the Browns have faced thus far, with an argument to possibly be the best RB duo of all time after their historic performance against the Ravens on Monday. This is in addition to having a dynamic passing attack, featuring quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and tight end Sam LaPorta.
However, the Browns are fourth-best in passing yards allowed, with 147.0, despite facing off against the Bengals' Joe Burrow, the Ravens' Jackson, and the Packers' Jordan Love. What makes the Lions any different? The answer might be the OL.
The Lions' OL will be the best the Browns have faced this season
The last time the Lions went up against an elite defense was Week 1 against the Packers, and it could not have gone worse. Goff was sacked four times as the running game was stalled, amassing only 46 yards. Gibbs and Montgomery combined for an additional 49 receiving yards, but the offense struggled to get anything going.
Communication issues and lack of preseason reps were cited among the culprits for the OL's terrible performance. Not to mention two of the starting spots are taken up by first-time starters in rookie Tate Ratledge and second-year Christian Mahogany.
The communication issues have started to be cleaned up, and the new-look OL has begun to gel more. Goff has not been sacked in either of the previous two games. Not only that, Monday's game against the Ravens produced the single greatest OL performance of all-time out of tackle Penei Sewell, according to Pro Football Focus, who posted an unfathomable 99.3 run-blocking grade. Not to be overlooked, Ratledge is currently fifth among all guards in PFF grade (74.0) and sixth in run-blocking (75.9) after a strong past two weeks.
READ MORE: Resurgent Lions offensive line paved the way for dominating win over Ravens
As the old idiom goes, "It's a marathon, not a sprint." It takes time for teams to "iron out the wrinkles." For the Lions, another classic saying that applies is "iron sharpens iron." The Lions' run defense has been no joke, either, ranking 11th at 99.0 rushing yards allowed per game. They stalled the Ravens' rushing attack themselves on Monday while also sacking Jackson seven times.
With the Lions possibly finding their pass-rushing partner for Aidan Hutchinson in Al-Quadin Muhammad, the OL and RBs have been tested throughout practice. The Browns' defensive line will still be a lot to handle, but it's a challenge Morton and his offense are embracing. They may just have the talent to do what no other offense has done this season.