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(SportsNetwork.com) - Just over three weeks after trading Trent Richardson and "giving up" on their season, the Cleveland Browns find themselves tied for first place in the AFC North as they get ready to host the Detroit Lions. Watch the game live on TSN, today at 1pm et/10am pt. But the guy who helped the Browns get there, suburban Cleveland native Brian Hoyer, is gone for the rest of the season after tearing his ACL early in the Browns Week 5 win over the Buffalo Bills. That means previously deposed QB Brandon Weeden, who initially entered to a chorus of boos after replacing Hoyer before finishing 13-of-24 for 197 yards and a touchdown against the Bills, will return as the teams starter as the Browns search for a fourth consecutive win for the first time since 2009. Helping Weeden against Buffalo was Travis Benjamin, the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, who returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown among his team record 179 punt-return yards, and WR Josh Gordon, who hauled in four receptions for 86 yards and a score. Willis McGahee added 72 yards on the ground and a touchdown on 26 rushes for Cleveland, which last began 3-2 in 2001 when the Browns fizzled out and finished 7-9. The Lions, meanwhile, lost their 23rd straight game in Wisconsin last week, a 22-9 setback to the Green Bay Packers. The Detroit offense sputtered much of the day thanks in large part to wide receiver Calvin Johnsons absence due to a knee injury. The All-Pro had been listed as questionable on the teams injury report after sitting out practice both Wednesday and Thursday of last week before participating in Fridays session on a limited basis. The Lions announced Sunday that Calvin Johnson is active against the Browns QB Matthew Stafford was 25-for-40 for 262 yards and a touchdown for the Lions, who were coming off wins against Washington and Chicago. "Its a long season and you have to be able to persevere through a lot of ups and downs," said Detroit head coach Jim Schwartz. "We had a down today, and well bounce back from it just like we did after losing to Arizona." The Lions defense was a bright spot, holding the Packers to five field goals and allowing only one offensive touchdown. Detroit and Cleveland will be facing off for the 19th time with the Lions holding the all-time edge, 14-4, and a 5-3 record in Cleveland. Back in 2010, Stafford led the Lions to a come-from-behind 38-37 win over the Browns with one of the most remarkable performances by a rookie QB in NFL history. Stafford brought the Lions back from deficits three different times (21, 3 and 6 points) to either tie or take the lead. WHAT TO WATCH FOR This is the danger of giving up on a young quarterback, one injury and you may need him again. We now know Browns CEO Joe Banner and GM Mike Lombardi had already moved past Weeden in their own minds at least and a second-year QB who is struggling with confidence issues in general isnt about to dismiss that kind of disrespect easily. Chudzinski needs to spin this like he was always behind Weeden or this could spiral out of control quickly and Clevelands stay at the top of the AFC North will likely to be measured in days, not weeks. Weeden, on the other hand, needs to start trusting his reads, stop hesitating and throw the ball on time, which will in turn help with his shoddy accuracy. "We have to approach it with its next man up," Chud said. "Thats the way we have handled the other situations that have come up, whether its quarterback or other positions. I think Brandon did a heck of a job for us coming in the situation as a backup, mentally being ready and making some big plays that helped us win that game last week." Having a pair of big-play options like emerging tight end Jordan Cameron and the speedy Gordon at his disposal will only help Weeden. "That guy is playing a key role in their offense. Not just short passes, but also long passes," Schwartz said when discussing Cameron. "Five touchdowns already this year. Hes made a lot of plays for them. Our linebackers and safeties ability to keep him from affecting the game and making big chunks of yards is definitely a key this week." Gordon, meanwhile, has really helped open up the offense during Clevelands current run by hauling in 18 receptions for 303 yards (16.8 avg.) and two TDs over that span. The Lions defense will give up some yardage in between the 20s but they have become very stingy in the red zone, allowing a touchdown percentage of 33.3 percent, third-best in the NFL. A much-improved pass rush, led by rookie DE Ezekiel Ansah, who leads the team and all NFL rookies with 3 1/2 sacks, along with stud DTs Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley have helped spearhead the units resurgence. "Those guys are dominant players at their position," Chudzinski said when talking about Suh and Fairley. "They are two of the best and it is very difficult to get anything going against them. They are a factor in the run game, they are a factor in the pass game." Anyone who thinks Johnson isnt the fulcrum of the Lions offense should watch last weeks game in Green Bay, the first contest in 2013 where Detroit failed to score at least 21 points. "Hes a big part of their offense and its something that I look forward to playing against him, but if hes missing, were still going to go about it." Browns star CB Joe Haden said. "We want to get a "W." Its more about the team than me and Calvin in a one-on-one matchup." Without the All-Pro drawing defenders outside the box, Reggie Bush was pedestrian against the Packers, rushing for just 44 yards one week after piling up a season-high 139 in the previous game against Chicago. Stafford, meanwhile, was sacked a career high-tying five times. "We have to have guys step up," Stafford said when talking about Johnsons absence. "I have to play better. As an offense, we know we have to play better." Problem is, Johnsons running mate outside the numbers, veteran WR Nate Burleson, is also sidelined with a broken left arm suffered in a car accident. "Both of those, Calvin and Nate, are great players and Calvin might be one of the greatest, if not the greatest of all-time," said backup receiver Kris Durham. "We just have to figure out how to make some plays for Matt because hes standing back there with a lot of pressure in his face." That pressure figures to continue against an imposing Cleveland front seven, which has helped the Browns amass 18 sacks on the season -- third-best in the NFL -- and allow just 301.8 yards a game, fourth-best. "They have been doing that without (Jabaal) Sheard the last couple of games, who is one of their better pass rushers," Schwartz said. "They have a lot of guys in there that can rush, (Barkevious) Mingo and (Paul) Kruger, and some big guys inside, (Phil) Taylor. We have to be up to that challenge. Not just in pass protection, but also running." Mingo, like Ansah, is a rookie who has hit the ground running as a pass- rushing specialist. "Hes playing with high effort. Hes a good chase player." Schwartz said when asked about Mingo. "Hes active. Hes around the ball. He has great length. Hes long. He affects the passer in a lot of different ways." OVERALL ANALYSIS The key here is whether or not Johnson suits up and opens up the Detroit offense. His presence means you have to roll a safety over the top and that can create space for Bush. C.J. was back at practice on a limited basis by Thursday so the guess here is that he plays and the Lions get it done. Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Lions 28, Browns 17 WASHINGTON -- The left half of the net was wide open for Troy Brouwer. When he missed badly, putting his shot wide, he was so exasperated that he slumped his shoulders and looked to the rafters as play continued. It was that kind of game for both the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders, who seemingly tried to top each other in trying to find the best way to waste a scoring chance. Players whiffed on open one-timers, several shots hit the goal frame, and all 11 power plays had fruitless outcomes. Andrew MacDonald was the only player to find the target, scoring early in the third period Tuesday night as the last-place Islanders broke a five-game losing streak with a 1-0 win. "Were a desperate team," New York coach Jack Capuano said. "I thought our guys really worked hard right from the start. ... Weve been playing hard; we havent been getting results." MacDonalds slap shot from the point went past screened goalie Michal Neuvirth and just under the crossbar with 17:44 to play. Evgeni Nabokov, making his third start since returning from a groin injury, stopped 22 shots for his 57th career shutout. The Islanders scored only one goal for the third straight game -- but at least this time it was enough to win. "There was a lot of special teams. It was kind of a weird one," McDonald said. "You dont really want to play with fire too much against these guys and give them too many power plays, but fortunately we were able to draw a couple while they were on the power play and negate them." Neuvirth made 27 saves for the Capitals, who hhave lost 10 of 13 to tumble toward the bottom of the Metropolitan Division, only seven points ahead of the Islanders.dddddddddddd Washington has been shut out four times this season, all at home. "Its not acceptable, the way we played tonight. Thats for sure," Capitals centre Nicklas Backstrom said. Washingtons Eric Fehr hit the right post in the first period, not long before teammate Brouwers frustrating misfire. New Yorks Cal Clutterbuck hit the intersection of the crossbar and right post on a short-handed attempt midway through the second, and teammate Kyle Okposo put one off the right post later in the period. The Islanders were granted a rare short-handed penalty shot in the third period, but Michael Grabners attempt was saved by Neuvirth. Most significantly, the Capitals talented power play went 0 for 6. Alex Ovechkin had three shots on goal for the game, with four other attempts blocked. Washington coach Adam Oates said perhaps his team had "a little fatigue" and that veteran players need to stop taking unnecessary penalties. He also noted it wasnt the greatest performance by the Islanders. "I dont think they executed, either," Oates said. "Both power plays were pretty ineffective." NOTES: Capitals D John Carlson played in his 271st consecutive game, tying Calle Johansson for the longest streak by a defenceman in franchise history. ... Washington D Mike Green missed his third consecutive game with a concussion, and LW Aaron Volpatti sat out with an upper-body injury. ' ' '