The Detroit Lions are facing off with the top defense in the NFL for Week 4, providing an excellent litmus test for their high flying offense in a low stakes situation. The Cleveland Browns, a non-divisional rival and a team Detroit could beat with their own defensive weapons handy, isn't going to make or break the Lions' Super Bowl contending status. But, they can break their offense.
It's beyond Myles Garrett for Cleveland now, as they have phenomenal rookie defenders in Mason Graham and Carson Schwesinger now in addition to Maliek Collins and Alex Wright along their defensive line. Detroit will need to match their energy in this contest to balance out what might be a tough start for their scoring.
These are four players that could help Detroit in that respect during Week 4, as the team travels back to Ford Field for a brief respite before heading back on the road for Week 5 and Week 6.
4 Lions players that can break Browns game wide open in Week 4
Aidan Hutchinson
Cleveland may have a formidable defensive line, but you cannot say the same for their offensive line in 2025. They're aging, injured, and unable to contain much to protect their 41-year old signal caller in Joe Flacco in the pocket. Hutchinson - and Al-Quadin Muhammad - are coming off a great Week 3 performance. Hutchinson specifically forced a fumble on Derrick Henry and picked up a sack on the ever-elusive Lamar Jackson.
If he can't pick up enough sacks to make Garrett look obsolete, then it'll be a confusing turn of events. Hutchinson should be able to eat against an O-line that's lost a starting tackle and guard in the last two weeks of action.
Terrion Arnold
A huge game from Arnold go a long way to quiet some narratives that have cropped up regarding the second year cornerback. Arnold has struggled these last three weeks of the season, that much is true. With no interceptions or forced fumbles, but two passes defended, Arnold has not been set up for success as of late.
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Having to defend man to man Week 1 through Week 3 with little help has done nothing to help build his confidence on defense, but he could get a break against this Browns offense. Cleveland has only generated 203.7 passing yards per game, and their top receiver is rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. - someone that Arnold will likely not be responsible for covering.
If he can, at least, contain Jerry Jeudy in this contest, he will be on a fast track towards a bounce back.
Tate Ratledge
Ratledge has slowly but steadily become a great guard for the Lions this season. He finished up Week 3 with an impressive PFF grade of 91.4, and Jared Goff sung his and Christian Mahogany's praises as they helped keep an extremely clean pocket for the QB. Ratledge has a tough road ahead of him in Week 4 against this Cleveland D-line, though.
It'd be a miracle if he can only hold them to one sack, as that's just how potent this line has been this season. Ratledge can really stamp out a role as one of the Lions' most important offensive lineman if he has another dominant performance against Cleveland's D-line in Week 4.