By Sunday 
The Detroit Lions are walking into a heavyweight fight in Week 4. On one side? The Cleveland Browns, owners of the NFL’s stingiest defense. On the other? A Lions squad that has shown grit, resilience, and just enough star power to prove they can hang with anyone.
The Browns’ defense is no joke — Myles Garrett, Maliek Collins, rookie phenoms Mason Graham and Carson Schwesinger — they’re built to suffocate opposing offenses. But football is always about matchups, and there are a few Lions who could completely flip the script at Ford Field.
Here are the three X-factors to watch on Sunday.
Aidan Hutchinson: The Disruptor
Cleveland’s defensive line is stacked, but their offensive line? Not so much. Injuries, age, and inconsistency have left Joe Flacco exposed in the pocket. That’s music to Aidan Hutchinson’s ears.
Fresh off a Week 3 performance where he forced a fumble on Derrick Henry and sacked Lamar Jackson, Hutchinson looks ready to feast. If he can dominate the edge, it not only neutralizes Cleveland’s passing game but puts him in direct comparison with Garrett — and you know Hutch would love to win that battle.
Terrion Arnold: The Bounce-Back Candidate
It hasn’t been the smoothest start for second-year cornerback Terrion Arnold. No interceptions, no forced fumbles, and shaky coverage at times have critics raising eyebrows. But Week 4 offers him a golden opportunity.
The Browns’ passing game has been… let’s just say less than explosive. They’re averaging just 203.7 yards per game through the air, and their top target is rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. If Arnold can lock down Jerry Jeudy and regain some confidence, this could be the week he flips the narrative.
Tate Ratledge: The Protector
Jared Goff owes some clean pockets to rookie guard Tate Ratledge. With a stellar 91.4 PFF grade in Week 3, Ratledge is quietly becoming one of the most reliable pieces of Detroit’s offensive line.
But now comes the real test. Cleveland’s front is relentless, and keeping Goff upright will be critical to giving the Lions’ offense a chance. If Ratledge can hold the line against constant pressure, he may stamp himself as one of the team’s unsung heroes of 2025.
Final Thoughts
This game may not define the Lions’ season — but it will measure their toughness. If Hutchinson wrecks the backfield, Arnold silences doubters, and Ratledge holds firm, Detroit could expose cracks in Cleveland’s so-called “immovable” defense.
At Ford Field, it’s more than just a matchup. It’s a statement game.