The Detroit Lions’ running game has dominated discussion leading into Sunday’s clash at Ford Field. Offensive coordinator John Morton drew attention when he claimed the Cleveland Browns haven’t “seen a run game like ours yet.”

On Thursday, Browns defensive coordinator, and ex-Lions head coach, Jim Schwartz was pressed about Morton’s comments. His reply? A shrug along with a straightforward explanation of the assignment.

“Well, we’ve faced some strong rushing offenses,” Schwartz told the Detroit Free Press. “Green Bay was running it well, so was Baltimore. Cincinnati is more pass-heavy. So yeah, stopping the run is a big deal. Two different backs, you’ve got to protect the perimeter, defend the full 53⅓ yards, especially with Gibbs. And a lot of their passes are essentially run plays.”

Morton wasn’t exaggerating in praising Detroit’s ground game. The Lions currently sit fourth in the league with 149 rushing yards per outing, and their tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery just shredded Baltimore for 224 yards and four scores. Morton stressed patience and sticking with the ground attack, something Detroit rode to success against the Ravens.

Still, Schwartz has his own reasons for confidence. Cleveland’s defense has been dominant, giving up a league-low 57.3 rushing yards per contest. No opponent has topped 90 yards on the ground against them to this point.

For Lions supporters, there’s extra intrigue. Schwartz guided Detroit for five years between 2009 and 2013, drafting cornerstones such as Matthew Stafford and Ndamukong Suh. Now he’ll be charged with slowing down his old team’s revamped identity, a punishing, balanced ground game powered by one of football’s top offensive lines.

Both Morton and Schwartz are leaning on their strengths. Morton is trusting his offensive line and backs to wear Cleveland down over time. Schwartz is emphasizing fundamentals, gap discipline, and limiting Gibbs from breaking loose in space.

This showdown has all the makings of an “unstoppable force vs. immovable object” narrative. Detroit wants to establish the run and set the tone. Cleveland is convinced it can neutralize any rushing attack, no matter how explosive.

Morton against Schwartz won’t be the headline on the scoreboard, but by Sunday afternoon at Ford Field, it might be the factor that determines who emerges victorious.