With the Lions on deck, here are five of their players the Browns must focus on in Week 4
The Cleveland Browns are gearing up to take on the Detroit Lions in their upcoming Week 4 matchup.
Quarterback Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions’ offense have not missed a beat since losing their offensive coordinator this past offseason. They’re currently averaging 34.3 points per game through the first three weeks of the season, which ranks second in the NFL. They’ve managed this behind the talent of Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and other elite playmakers in their high-powered offense. Overall, the Browns’ defense will need to put pressure on Goff early and shut down any possibility of a rushing attack developing throughout the game.
Luckily for the Browns, Detroit’s defense has been lackluster at best to start the 2025 season. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and his unit are off to a slower, rougher start than they had in 2024. Last year, Detroit’s defense allowed just 20.1 points per game. Through the first three weeks of this season, they’ve allowed 26.0 points per game. If other teams have been able to find playmaking opportunities against this defense, the hope is that Browns quarterback Joe Flacco can do the same.
Let’s now take a look at the five Detroit Lions players the Browns must focus on to secure a victory this upcoming Sunday:
QB Jared Goff
Lions quarterback Jared Goff has solidified himself as one of the better passers in the NFL since his arrival in Detroit. This season, he’s recorded 761 passing yards with 7 touchdowns and only 1 interception. His production has helped lead the Lions to a 2-1 record and another display of one of the league’s best offenses, despite losing offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to the Bears’ head coaching vacancy. He currently ranks 7th in the NFL in passing yards and 3rd in total touchdowns.
To start the season, the Browns’ defensive secondary has been inconsistent in their three performances. Luckily, the team’s Week 3 victory against the Packers was a performance they can build on heading into this Sunday’s matchup. Goff is bound to find top targets like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, but limiting their ability to get open on routes will prevent him from having a major impact against the Browns.
RB Jahmyr Gibbs
Throughout the first three games of the season, Lions starting running back Jahmyr Gibbs has been one of the most productive players in Detroit’s offense. He’s taken a leap in 2025 with increased involvement in both the rushing and passing attack. In just three games, Gibbs has already hauled in 18 receptions for 73 yards. He’s also been very effective in the run game, collecting 180 rushing yards and three touchdowns in that same span. Even though fellow running back David Montgomery continues to take some reps, Gibbs remains one of the most impactful players on the field for Detroit.
Gibbs will have to face off against his opponents’ strongest position group: the Browns’ defensive line. This year, the Browns have held opposing running backs to just 2.23 yards per carry through the first three games of the 2025 season. Players like Maliek Collins, Mason Graham, and of course Myles Garrett have solidified themselves as part of one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL. Now, they’ll need to play at their best once again when facing Gibbs and the rest of the Lions’ rushing attack in Week 4.
DE Aiden Hutchinson
When talking about the Detroit Lions’ defense, the first player to mention is obviously star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. After his 2024 season was cut short due to injury, Hutchinson is off to a solid start this year with 2.0 sacks and 4 combined tackles through the Lions’ first three games. Another reason he’ll be a player the Browns must focus on is that the team will be without starting tackles Dawand Jones and Jack Conklin for this Week 4 matchup against Hutchinson.
With both starting offensive tackles out and an immobile quarterback in Joe Flacco, the Lions’ defensive end will be on the hunt this Sunday. He’s expected to be the difference-maker on Detroit’s defensive side of the ball. If the Browns don’t manage to stop him, he’ll quickly make his presence felt by disrupting both the rushing and passing attack. Offensive rhythm is something Cleveland simply can’t afford to lose, and keeping Hutchinson away must be priority number one.
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
The Lions’ top wide receiver has had an incredible start to his 2025 campaign as he continues to establish himself as one of the best in the NFL. In just three games, he’s hauled in 20 receptions for 237 yards and 4 touchdowns. He is currently tied for first in the NFL in receiving touchdowns and will try to continue this epic start against the Cleveland Browns and top cornerback Denzel Ward.
Browns cornerback Denzel Ward has already faced some of the league’s top passing attacks and wide receivers. In Week 1, Ward and the other Cleveland corners managed to hold Bengals receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to just 59 combined yards on 5 receptions. Repeating that kind of performance against St. Brown and talented WR2 Jameson Williams should be at the top of the Browns’ defensive backs’ priority list.
LB Jack Campbell
One standout playmaker who has made an immediate impact on the 2025 Lions’ defense is linebacker Jack Campbell. He currently has 26 combined tackles in his impressive start to the 2025 campaign, which ranks 20th in the NFL among all defenders. He has also earned an outstanding 90.3 PFF run-defense grade, which ranks 5th among 123 NFL linebackers. With the Browns’ injury-riddled offensive line situation, he’s bound to take advantage of the opportunities that could come his way.
Cleveland will not only have to scheme to protect the backfield from Aidan Hutchinson but also from this standout linebacker. In last week’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, Campbell forced a fumble and sacked opposing quarterback Lamar Jackson, who is known for his pocket presence and mobility. While Joe Flacco is known for the complete opposite, the Browns’ offensive line will need to do everything they can to protect him and the running backs from Campbell.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns vs. Lions: 5 players Cleveland must focus on in NFL Week 4
Category: Football