Lions vs. Browns: Previewing the 2011 Preseason Matchup and Positional Battles

The Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns, two teams coming off impressive Week 1 performances, will face off in preseason action Friday at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

The Lions fired out of the gates against the hapless Cincinnati Bengals last Friday, scoring 24 first half points en route to a 34-3 thrashing of the rebuilding Bengals. 

Matthew Stafford threw two first quarter touchdown passes, with one reaching Calvin Johnson and the other Nate Burleson.

The Browns had their own encouraging start, as second year quarterback Colt McCoy led two touchdown drives against the Green Bay Packers. Cleveland held on to win, 27-17. 

In the following slides, we'll preview the Lions and Browns Week 2 preseason matchup.  

Game Info and TV/Radio Schedule

When: Friday, Aug. 19, 2011

Time: 7:30 p.m. EST

Where: Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, OH

Detroit Area Radio/TV

Radio: Sirius 149, 85 

TV: WXYZ-TV 

Cleveland Area Radio/TV

Radio: WMMS 100.7, Browns Radio Network  

TV: WKYC-TV

Lions Preseason Week 1

The Lions were one of the more impressive teams in Week 1, as they dominated the Bengals to the tune of 34-3.

Matthew Stafford shook off any rust he might have accumulated on the injury list last season, throwing for two touchdowns in a near-perfect performance during the first quarter. Stafford finished his night 6-of-7 for 71 yards and a 148.5 passer rating.

Detroit racked up 350 yards of total offense compared to Cincinnati's 205. The Lions harassed Bengals rookie quarterback Andy Dalton throughout his NFL debut. 

Browns Preseason Week 1

While maybe not quite as impressive, the Browns had their own good start to the 2011 season.

Quarterback Colt McCoy led the Browns first-team offense on two touchdown-scoring drives, and left the game with a lead.

The Browns defense held Aaron Rodgers and the Packers starting offense to just seven points in two drives, then dominated most of the second half to hold onto a 27-17 win.

McCoy was the bright spot, however, as his performance turned some heads around the league.  

Lions Positional Battle: Running Back

If there was one area where the Lions didn't shine in their preseason opener, it was running the football. Detroit carried the ball 33 times for just 70 yards against the Bengals. 

The Lions are still searching for a player to replace Mike Leshoure, who went down with an Achilles tear and will miss the season. 

Jerome Harrison (six carries, eight yards), Mike Bell (five carries, five yards) and Aaron Brown (four carries, 21 yards) are the likely front runners. 

In addition to leading the team in rushing yards, Brown also caught five passes for 49 yards. With another strong showing, Brown could go a long ways in locking down the third down back role for the Lions. 

Browns Positional Battle: Strong Safety

The Browns strong safety position is shaping up like a classic "young, new guy vs. established, returning veteran."

In the Browns case, those players are Usama Young and Mike Adams.

Young was just a role player with the Saints the past few years, but the Browns might be expecting him to start at the back end of their defense.

If he should falter in coverage, however, Adams could retain his spot. Either way they go, Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron will need to trust that player.  

What to Watch For: Lions Passing Game

Forget running the football—Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan might throw the ball more this season than any other play-caller in football. 

Linehan will put a lot of faith in quarterback Matthew Stafford, and if he plays like he did last Friday, why not? 

By all accounts, Stafford looked in midseason form against the Bengals. He and the Lions offense can continue the momentum as they head into the regular season with another sterling performance against the Browns. 

What to Watch For: Browns Interior Line

Despite the success of Colt McCoy last Saturday, the Browns offense will continue to focus on running the football. 

On Friday, the interior of the Browns offensive line might get their biggest challenge of the season. 

Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has already established himself as one of the game's premier interior players, and he's a handful to keep out of the backfield. 

How the Browns matchup against such a force will be something to keep an eye on

Prediction

Both the Lions and Browns were impressive in their Week 1 debuts, which sets up Friday's game as a good measuring stick for each team as they head into the regular season.

Yet after watching the Lions dominate the Bengals in all phases last Thursday, I'm giving them a slight edge in this Week 2 matchup.

Both Matthew Stafford and Colt McCoy will trade scores in the early goings, but the Lions reserves play a touch better down the stretch.

The Lions win this one, 24-21.