After watching the Cleveland Browns topple the Green Bay Packers last week, the Detroit Lions are more aware than usual that anything is possible in the NFL.
Nonetheless, some things are constant in a league abounding with chaos, intrigue, and parity. After all, the win over Green Bay wasn’t the first surprise win in the recent history of the Browns’ troubled franchise.
Sure, the Lions have had their troubles too, but when it comes to facing the Browns, Detroit’s history has the advantage.
Detroit Lions own the Cleveland Browns whenever they come to the Motor City
As Browns reporter Tony Grossi recently pointed out on X, it’s been a long time since the Browns have come to Detroit and left with a victory; not since 1983. In 13 meetings in Detroit, the Lions are 12-1 over the Browns all-time.
This week’s meeting will mark the 26th matchup between the longstanding franchises, but the ‘83 victory in Detroit remains the only one Cleveland carries on the road. Otherwise, Detroit leads the all-time series 19-6.
The two port cities have something of a rivalry rooted in their history as NFL Championship rivals in the 1950s, where they met four times (Detroit won three), through their more recent histories that have seen both teams fail to reach the top of the NFL mountain with a Super Bowl appearance. But even when the franchises are struggling the most, when they meet on the field, it’s usually a highly competitive matchup.
Four of the six meetings since 2001 have been decided by one score, and just 14 points decided the other three. For 13 seasons starting in 2002, the two franchises played for a traveling trophy, the Great Lakes Freighter Trophy.
READ MORE: Looking back at Jim Schwartz’s time as Lions head coach before his return to Detroit
Of course, times have changed, and the Lions are Super Bowl contenders while the Browns carry one of the most impressive defenses in the league. Nothing is guaranteed on Sunday as far as an outcome goes. There won’t be a trophy on the line.
Ultimately, the history won’t play a factor in the outcome; the only advantage is the noise in Ford Field when the Browns have possession. But when the Lions offense is at work, and the Browns defense is lined across, it’ll be a heavyweight fight that embodies the natural rivalry between the port cities.