FIRST DOWN: DEFENSIVE EFFORT
"I thought our defense set the tone for the day," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said after Detroit's 34-10 win over Cleveland Sunday at Ford Field.
The Lions' defense forced three takeaways on the afternoon that Detroit's offense turned into 17 points, and that really proved to be the difference in the game. The defense recorded three more sacks Sunday, which gives them 14 in their last three contests.
The Browns took their opening possession 88 yards for their only touchdown of the game. That's probably going to be one of the first things defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard talks about Thursday when he addresses the media because he's still looking for a three-and-out to start the first defensive series of a game this season.
After that, Detroit's defense locked in. Cleveland had just 45 total yards of offense the rest of the first half and finished with 249 yards of total offense in the game with just 79 rushing.
One thing to monitor defensively moving forward is the loss of starting cornerbacks D.J. Reed (hamstring) and Terrion Arnold (shoulder) to injury. Campbell said they'd know more about both injuries early in the week. Campbell said the Reed injury looks more significant than Arnold's, but he won't know until further testing.
SECOND DOWN: HUTCHINSON'S PERFORMANCE
It's good to see No. 97 wreaking havoc in opposing backfields.
"Just another big performance by him today," Campbell said of Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. "What everybody sees is the quarterback hits and sacks and the takeaways. All big things that are right in front of your face. But a reminder is the guy plays the run, too. Those are the things, I know for me, I take the most pride in watching."
Hutchinson was a one-man wrecking crew both in the pass and the run games against Cleveland Sunday.
He recorded a sack in his third straight game and finished with two sacks total, including a fourth-quarter strip sack to help seal the game for Detroit.
His end-of-game stat line was four tackles, 2.0 sacks, four quarterback hits and a forced fumble. He also had another strip sack negated by a penalty in the first half.
"He plays with his hair on fire," Campbell said. "He doesn't take plays off. He's relentless. He's aggressive. He's violent. He's smart. He's disciplined. It's just good to see him back playing at a high level."
THIRD DOWN: HEARTBEAT GUY
Campbell and special teams coordinator Dave Fipp were talking this past Wednesday, and Fipp told Campbell he thought they should let returner Kalif Raymond cut it loose a little bit more this week against the Browns on some of the punt returns.
Raymond was fearless on the afternoon, and the Lions were rewarded early in the fourth quarter with a game-changing play.
Every roster needs players like Raymond, those glue pieces that can wear so many hats. He's not only consistently one of the best punt returners in the NFL year after year, but he always seems to have a clutch catch as Detroit's No. 3 receiver. He also does a terrific job doing the dirty work as a blocker on the perimeter in the run game.
Raymond's 65-yard punt return touchdown early in the fourth quarter broke the game open for the Lions. It was Raymond's third career punt-return touchdown, all with Detroit, which is tied for fourth most in franchise history.
"He's amazing," Lions quarterback Jared Goff said of Raymond. "He's one of those heartbeat guys for us. Does everything right, is a great guy to be around, is a mentor and role model for all these guys. I love having him as a teammate. He's incredible. He breathes life into people and it's fun seeing him succeed like that."
FOURTH DOWN: GOFF-ST. BROWN CONNECTION
Amon-Ra St. Brown gave the Lions a 17-7 lead midway through the second quarter in an eventual 34-10 win. It was the third straight game in which St. Brown has recorded a touchdown catch.
He added his second touchdown reception of the contest on an 8-yarder from Goff to conclude Sunday's scoring. He now leads the NFL with six touchdown receptions on the year. St. Brown joins Calvin Johnson (2011) as the only Lions players to reach six touchdown receptions through the first four games of any season.
"That will always be a security blanket," Campbell said of the Goff-St. Brown connection.
"Those two guys, the rapport they've got, the connection they have, it's special. Having that is always going to make you feel more secure."
St. Brown finished the afternoon catching seven passes for 70 yards and those two touchdowns.
