Recap: Detroit vs. Cleveland
Sports Network | August 23, 2008
Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Dan Orlovsky hit on 13-of-20 passes for 167 yards, with a touchdown and an interception, while Jon Kitna was 9-of-11 passing for 98 yards to help lead the Detroit Lions in a rout of the injury- laden Cleveland Browns, 26-6, in the third preseason tune-up for both squads.
Kevin Smith gained 45 yards on 10 carries with a score for the Lions (3-0). Roy Williams caught three passes for 61 yards and Devale Ellis had four grabs totaling 60 yards. Brandon Middleton had a seven-yard touchdown catch.
Dave Rayner hit on all four of his field goal attempts and both of his extra point tries, accounting for 14 points. Gilbert Gardner and Ernie Sims had four tackles each in the win.
Brady Quinn was 14-of-24 passing for 106 yards, while Ken Dorsey was 13-of-22 for 94 yards for Cleveland (0-3). Donte' Stallworth caught four passes for 34 yards and Jason Wright had eight rushes for 42 yards. Phil Dawson hit both his field goal attempts, including a 53-yarder, in the setback.
Browns quarterback Derek Anderson (concussion), receiver/kick returner Joshua Cribbs (high ankle sprain), running back Jamal Lewis (hamstring), safeties Sean Jones and Brodney Pool (concussion), and outside linebacker Willie McGinest (groin) are among the Cleveland notables who sat in the loss. Wide receiver Braylon Edwards (foot) was also not on the field Saturday.
Rayner hit from 30 and 38 yards in the first quarter to give the Lions a 6-0 lead heading into the second stanza.
Smith then capped a five-play, 80-yard drive with a 35-yard touchdown run that gave Detroit a 13-0 lead.
Dawson added a pair of field goals, but Rayner countered with a 47-yarder in the waning seconds of the half to send the teams into their respective locker rooms with Detroit ahead 16-6.
Rayner nailed a 26-yard kick before Orlovsky connected with Middleton on a seven-yard touchdown strike to give the Lions a 26-6 cushion heading into the final stanza.
Saturday's game marked the 40th preseason battle between the Lions and Browns, with Detroit holding a 21-18-1 edge.
