Myles Garrett and Jim Schwartz respond to John Morton's comments

"I don't think they've seen a run game like ours yet."

For Lions fans who have been nervous about the Detroit Lions game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, those comments by offensive coordinator John Morton probably didn't help. It didn't go unnoticed by the Browns, either.

Browns All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett was asked about Morton's comments on Friday, and flips the Lions OC's words back at him, saying, "He's entitled to his opinion. He hasn't seen a defensive front like ours." Garrett continued, "He's entitled to say what he wants. We have the privilege to see who's right."

While Morton was correct in the sense that the Lions will have the best running back duo and offensive line the Browns have faced off against, Garrett is right as well. The Browns have allowed an average of 57.3 rushing yards per game, having already gone up against elite runners like Green Bay Packers' Josh Jacobs and Baltimore Ravens' Derrick Henry.

Garrett is having a great season himself. The former Defensive Player of the Year is making a strong case for winning the award again, as he already has 4.0 sacks to his name, giving him 106.5 for his potential Hall of Fame career. The Browns have 11 sacks total on the season, the same amount as the Lions, which will pose a big test for an offensive line that has kept quarterback Jared Goff upright for two consecutive games.

Jim Schwartz also has something to say on trash talking

Garrett recognized the challenge that lies ahead, saying, "I think it will be a battle of ideologies. I think our (defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz) also has some things to say, and we have to be the ones to put it into action."

Schwarz did have his own comments when asked on Thursday about trash talking:

"I mean, does it really affect the game? I mean, maybe it makes things nice for you guys or for people to say stuff or whatever. I don’t play the game. I’m just out there trying to put a good plan together. I’m trying to put our guys in position and turn the game over to them. So anything that I think or anything that I would engage in in my mind just is distracting from what our job is. So we’ll just, we’ll keep it there. Players on the field will decide the game and not anything else."

Schwartz may not engage in verbal back-and-forths, but there's little reason to doubt he's taken Morton's comments to heart. Not just because he has every reason to be confident in the talent on his defense, but also because the Lions franchise holds significance to him.

Schwartz is making a return to Detroit after coaching the Lions from 2009 to 2013, where he joined a Lions squad coming off their infamous 0-16 season and helped lead them to the playoffs in 2011. In his first return to Detroit in 2014, Schwartz was the DC of the Buffalo Bills. After a 17-14 victory, Schwartz was carried off the field in celebration. It's clear games against the Lions mean a lot to him.

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Schwartz was asked about going up against the Lions, and he responded by saying, "I really enjoyed my time there. My family did. I loved the players, love the city, really love the organization." Schwartz added complimentary words about current head coach Dan Campbell, adding, "I admire what Dan's done with the team. They're in his image. They play tough. They play physical. It'll be fun to go against them."

Schwartz concluded his time with the media by saying that he still has "a lot of friends" in Detroit and that he was "very grateful" for his tenure with the Lions.

With the pleasantries out of the way, the stage is now set for what is expected to be an intense clash of the titans. The winner of Sunday's game will likely be decided in the trenches and by who is ultimately correct.