Pride of Detroit
The Detroit Lions (2-1) and and Cleveland Browns (1-2) will square off in a Week 4 interconference matchup. The Lions will be back home for this game, hoping to keep their winning streak going under the friendly dome of Ford Field. To do that, they’ll need to follow the keys to victory laid out in this week’s Honolulu Blueprint.
“We’ve got another task here in front of us. This defense is outstanding for Cleveland,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said on Tuesday. “So, we’re going to have our hands full here. Short week, but we’ll be ready to go.”
For a detailed look at the opposing scheme, make sure you check out our complementary breakdown piece: Lions Week 4 Preview: Breaking down Browns’ offensive and defensive schemes.
The Browns are a very good pass-rushing team, as their scheme is designed for this, and they currently have the NFL’s 10th-best pressure rate (37.6%), the third-most sacks (11), and the league’s best sack rate (11.8%). Perennial All-Pro EDGE Myles Garrett accounts for 4.0 sacks (second most in NFL), a 5.3% sack rate (third), 12 QB pressures (eighth), and 16% pressure rate (eighth). On average, Garrett gets pressure by 2.84 seconds, which is actually the slowest of the Browns’ starting four defensive linemen: EDGE Isaiah McGuire (2.57 seconds), DT Maliek Collins (2.64), and rookie DT Mason Graham (2.74).
The first step in slowing down the Browns’ attacking defense is to find quick, early success. The easiest way for the Lions to accomplish that is through their intermediate passing game. Entering this week, the Lions are the second most efficient team when passing to the intermediate area of the field, while the Browns rank 27th in efficiency in defending this area, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats.
Overall, the Lions have the most efficient passing attack in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats, and quarterback Jared Goff is at his best when facing man coverage. Meanwhile, the Browns run more man coverage than any other team in the NFL. A highly favorable situation for the Lions, according to Next Gen Stats:
Against man coverage, Jared Goff has completed 19 of 23 passes for 168 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions this season. His completion percentage over expected (+21.4%), passing success rate (65.2%), and his expected points added per dropback (+0.86) when facing man all rank first among qualified passers.
The quickness of the Browns’ front will make throwing the deep ball early challenging, but by softening up coverage with success at the intermediate level, the Lions will open up opportunities for explosive plays both down the field and in the run game.
The Browns have an incredibly impressive defensive front, and they’ve been thriving at stopping the run early in 2025. So far, Cleveland’s run defense checks in amongst the best in the NFL in the following categories:
