The search goes on for Dan Campbell's first win in the NFL after the Lions held the Steelers to a tie in Week 10. Can Detroit finally record its first victory of the season against a Cleveland team that is languishing in the bottom of the AFC North standings. Here's a breakdown of the Lions vs Browns matchup.
Detroit Lions installed as +10 underdogs
After 10 weeks of the 2021 NFL season, the Detroit Lions finally achieved a result other than a loss. It still was not a win, though, as the Lions settled for a 16-16 tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was the first tie in the NFL since Week 3 of the 2020 season with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Cincinnati Bengals.
That tie ensured Detroit would not become the first 0-17 team in league history. Coach Dan Campbell shook things up in that contest, opting to get involved with the Lions' play-calling duties for the first time this season. That worked wonders for Detroit's ground game, with the Lions recording 229 rushing yards.
D'Andre Swift feasted on the Steelers defense, rushing for a career-high 130 yards on 33 carries. It was Swift's second-career 100-yard game. Detroit had to rely on its run game in Week 10 with Jared Goff struggling yet again for the Lions. He threw for just 112 yards against the Steelers and did not record a single touchdown pass.
Goff, who was sacked four times by Pittsburgh, has recorded just eight touchdown passes in Detroit's nine games this season. He has only one touchdown pass in the Lions' last five games. To make matters worse for Goff, he suffered an oblique injury in the loss to Pittsburgh.
He is now a major doubt for Week 11, with backup quarterback David Blough a possible starter for the Lions against Cleveland. He has not seen extensive action for the Lions since making five starts for them as a rookie back in 2019.
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Cleveland Browns enter Week 11 as -10 favorites
Cleveland's losing woes show no sign of ending as the Browns suffered a humiliating 45-7 defeat at the hands of the New England Patriots in Week 10. The Browns have now lost four of their last six games to drop to 5-5. They failed to take advantage of Baltimore's shock loss to the Miami Dolphins as they remained 1.5 games behind the Ravens in the AFC North standings.
The Browns will look to get their season back on track when they face the winless Lions. It is important for Cleveland that Baker Mayfield gets his game going in this encounter. He looked out of sorts in the loss to the Pats, completing just 11 of 21 passes for 73 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Mayfield admitted on Wednesday that injuries are taking a toll on his body and this is "probably the most beat up" he's been in his career in the NFL. Mayfield, who has been dealing with foot, knee and shoulder injuries, still plans to play against the Lions in Week 11.
The question now is: will coach Kevin Stefanski let him start against Detroit? Mayfield is ranked just 25th in the NFL in QBR, posting a low 42.9 rating this season. Case Keenum replaced Mayfield in the game against the Pats, finishing with 81 passing yards.
Writer's Prediction
Cleveland wins, but Detroit covers the spread.
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