Browns vs Lions Week 4 preview: Three key slugfest statistics

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 for RT Penei Sewell.

The Browns’ defensive front is loaded with players operating at peak form and being deployed decisively by Jim Schwartz. For Detroit’s developing offensive line, this represents an even sterner test than Green Bay in Week 1 — but the unit at least enters this matchup with two more games of continuity and chemistry under its belt.

Browns Run Defense says “Keep Out”

This week’s battle in the trenches got a little spicier with both Lions offensive coordinator John Morton and Garrett puffing their chests out pridefully for their team’s ability in the ground game.

Garrett has reason to be confident as the Browns have steadily improved their run defense each season since 2022 and are now among the NFL’s best in nearly every key metric:

The Browns had a lot of success stopping the run games of the Bengals, Ravens, and Packers in their tracks. In addition to the defensive line, rookie second-round LB Carson Schwesinger has shined with 8 defensive stops in the run game and a 77.8 run-defense grade (18th among LBs).

But Morton notes that the Lions’ reworked run game is different from anything the Browns have faced this season. Detroit has been effective on the ground:

While the Lions’ numbers don’t yet match Cleveland’s dominance—due in part to a rough Week 1—the matchup still sets up as an intriguing game of chess between Morton and Schwartz.

The Browns are particularly tough in areas where the Lions often catch opponents off guard. On third-and-five-or-less runs (eight attempts so far), Cleveland has allowed only a 12.5% rushing success rate. Cleveland has also been strong defending the run out of 11- and 13-personnel, under-center looks, shotgun runs, and on first or second down (they’ve yet to face a snap of 21-personnel this year).

Detroit has leaned heavily on 12-personnel rushes this season, ranking top six in attempts, yards per carry, rushing success rate, and EPA per rush. The Browns have been nearly as stout in those areas, sitting in the top 12 in yards per rush, success rate, yards before contact per rush, and explosive-run rate. Interestingly, they fall outside the top 15 in both EPA per rush and yards after contact per rush—perhaps a window for Detroit to exploit. Beyond 12 personnel, Cleveland also lags in yards after contact immediately following completed passes, ranking 29th at 3.59 yards per attempt.

Expect a physical, grind-it-out battle running the football. David Montgomery, second in the NFL with 4.8 yards per carry, could anchor the ground attack again. Finding traction on the ground will be critical for controlling the clock, creating manageable downs, and giving Jared Goff a chance to navigate Cleveland’s elite pass rush.

With the ground game potentially battering a brick wall, a lot of Detroit’s offensive success could hinge on Jared Goff. When protection holds up, he’s been delivering at an extremely high level and has kept the passing game humming despite Ben Johnson’s departure. Goff has operated as one of the league’s smoothest pre- and post-snap quarterbacks this season.

Even with last year’s starting outside corner, Martin Emerson Jr. lost to a training-camp Achilles tear, Jim Schwartz has leaned into an aggressive man-coverage blueprint. He’s rolling with Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II (last year’s slot) on the outside, seventh-round rookie Myles Harden in the nickel, and safeties Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman Jr. The Browns lead the NFL in Cover-1 usage (42.3% of dropbacks) and are sixth in Cover-0 (6.7%).

Opponents who do get the ball off against those looks have found success:

That should be music to Detroit’s ears. That’s Dan Campbell’s jam, man. Against those same man coverages this season, Goff has produced:

Goff has long been comfortable dissecting man coverage. While Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta haven’t been featured much against it this year, Williams averaged 20.1 yards per catch against man last season (4th), and Goff has been dialing up Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown leads the NFL with eight first downs against these two coverages this season after posting 14 such catches all of last year. St. Brown could really test Harden in the slot as this month has been his first exposure to meaningful NFL snaps.

Schwartz’s gamble is that pressure covers up those isolated matchups. The Browns generate pressure on 41.5% of dropbacks when in man (11th-highest) and 50.0% when they blitz.

If Detroit’s “People Mover” offensive line can keep the pocket intact, Goff should be able to slice up Cleveland’s man looks. Should he do that and orchestrate a win, the conversation about his MVP candidacy should only grow louder at the season’s quarter-turn.