When is the last time the Detroit Lions won in Cleveland?

The Detroit Lions will take on the Cleveland Browns Sunday, so when’s the last time they won in Cleveland?

The Detroit Lions won’t being going 0-17 this season after a 16-16 with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10. In Week 11, they’ll hit the road to take on another AFC North opponent in the Cleveland Browns, as they try again to put a mark in the win column.

Tim Boyle is lined up to make his first NFL start in place of an injured Jared Goff (oblique) on Sunday. That would seem to make a win even more unlikely for the Lions, but it’s not like Boyle could be much worse than Goff has been this season.

The Lions obviously don’t play the Browns regularly, every four years lately and every three years between 1983 and 1995 before a six-year gap to 2001. So in line with last week’s inquiry….

When is the last time the Lions won in Cleveland?

Not that either franchise has been that great lately, but it’s still surprising to learn (via The Football Database) that the Lions lead the all-time series against the Browns 19-5. Four of those matchups occurred in NFL Championship Games spanning from 1952-1957, and the Lions won three of them.

As for the last time the Lions won in Cleveland, that might be surprising too. Or maybe it’s not.

On Oct. 13, 2013, in Jim Schwartz’s final season as head coach, the Lions scored 24 unanswered points in the second half (17 in the fourth quarter) to beat the Browns 31-17 in Cleveland. Matthew Stafford threw four touchdowns in the game, while Reggie Bush had 135 total yards and a receiving touchdown. That’s the last time the Lions played in Cleveland too.

Detroit’s leading receiver that day? Kris Durham, with eight catches for 83 yards on 13 targets, as Calvin Johnson finished with just three catches for 25 yards. Joique Bell and Mikel Leshoure rounded out the running back depth chart, with tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Joseph Fauria combining to catch seven passes. All three of Fauria’s catches went for touchdowns.

The Lions have won four straight games, and seven of the last eight, against the Browns. Can they make it five straight on Sunday?