Pride of Detroit
What once looked like an afterthought on the schedule, the matchup between the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns has turned into one of Week 4’s most compelling games. After the Browns dragged the Packers into the junkyard and let the Dawg Pound loose, their defense has re-established itself as one of the NFL’s most punishing units.
Even with the four-ring circus of a quarterback competition, defensive ringmaster Jim Schwartz has his group looking far closer to its 2023 form, when it finished as the league’s top defense. Some of Cleveland’s metrics look a little deflated after surrendering 41 points to Baltimore—despite allowing only 242 total yards and just 3-of-12 conversions on third down—but the Browns remain a top-five defense (#3 in Defensive DVOA) and a stiff test for Detroit.
The Lions offense vs. the Browns defense is the headline act of Sunday’s slate. Here are three statistics that frame this matchup.
Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all statistics are sourced from NFL Pro, TruMedia, FTN Fantasy, or Pro Football Reference.
Myles Garrett has been one of the NFL’s most dominant defenders for years, and somehow, he’s elevated his game even further in 2025. There’s a strong case he’s the league’s best player relative to position.
So far this season, Garrett has produced:
• 14 total QB pressures (13th)
• 4 sacks (2nd)
• 29.3% pass-rush win rate (2nd)
• 18.7% pressure rate (14th)
He’s doing it while drawing double teams on nearly 70% of his rushes—the highest rate for any edge rusher. Garrett also owns PFF’s second-highest defensive line grade (92.1) and the No. 2 edge run-defense grade (87.3), behind Aidan Hutchinson. With 85.9% of his snaps coming from the right side, veteran LT Taylor Decker will have his hands full Sunday.
The bigger problem for Detroit: Garrett isn’t a one-man wrecking crew anymore.
Maliek Collins, once a journeyman pass-rushing tackle, has found a career renaissance in Cleveland. On a two-year, $20 million deal, he leads all DTs in pass-rush win rate (23.6%) and ranks 10th in pressure rate (13.9%). Collins also tops PFF’s DT grades (90.8 overall, 91.5 pass rush) and is on pace for his best run-defense season (67.5). Lining up on the right side 69.2% of the time, he’ll test LG Christian Mahogany—fresh off surrendering two pressures to Baltimore.
Inside, Collins often pairs with No. 5 overall pick Mason Graham on violent two-man stunts. Graham was stout against the run the first two weeks but flashed against Green Bay’s unsettled offensive line (four QB pressures, 16.7% win rate, 16.7% pressure rate) and will primarily square off with fellow rookie RG Tate Ratledge, with intriguing UDFA Adin Huntington rotating in (25% win rate, 12.5% pressure rate in limited snaps vs. the Packers) – a player who also sees snaps at fullback.
Rounding out the group, third-year DE Isaiah McGuire has stepped into a starting role opposite Garrett and is quietly producing an 18.6% pressure rate—15th among all defenders—setting up a strong early-season test...
