By Sunday 
The Cleveland Browns head into Week 4 riding the momentum of their first win of the season, but the real test is looming at Ford Field against the red-hot Detroit Lions. Detroit isn’t just putting points on the board (a sizzling 34.3 points per game, second in the NFL) — they’re also swarming on defense, forcing turnovers and dominating the trenches.
So how exactly can Cleveland hang with a Lions team that looks like a true contender? The Browns’ game plan boils down to three big factors: win the turnover battle, dominate the line of scrimmage, and unleash rookie RB Quinshon Judkins.
1. Win the Turnover Battle
Detroit’s defense thrives on chaos. With an early plus-2 turnover ratio, they’ve made forcing fumbles and snatching picks a weekly habit. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has his crew swarming every snap, with guys like Alex Anzalone punching and ripping at the ball like it’s a drill straight out of training camp.
On the other hand, Cleveland has been far too generous with the football. Sitting at minus-4 in turnover ratio through three weeks, they’ve coughed it up five times already. If that trend continues against a Lions squad that pounces on mistakes, it could get ugly fast.
2. Control the Trenches
This matchup may be decided in the dirt. The Lions’ offensive line has been stellar, protecting Jared Goff and opening gaps for their running backs. Meanwhile, the Browns’ run defense has been elite, holding the likes of Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs to just 57.3 rushing yards per game combined.
Cleveland’s defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz knows the assignment: bottle up David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Easier said than done — Montgomery is averaging nearly 7 yards per carry, and Gibbs is lethal not just in the run game but in quick passes and screens. If the Browns win the trenches here, they keep Detroit’s offense honest.
3. Lean on Quinshon Judkins
If there’s a bright new star in Cleveland’s backfield, it’s rookie Quinshon Judkins. In just two games, he’s logged 155 yards, a touchdown, and explosive runs of 31 and 38 yards. He runs with a blend of power and shiftiness that can punish tired defenses, and the Browns will need every yard he can churn out.
Detroit’s defense isn’t a pushover against the run — holding opponents to 99 yards per game (11th in the NFL) — but Judkins’ ability to find lanes and pick up chunk plays could be the X-factor Cleveland leans on to sustain drives and keep Jared Goff on the sideline.
The Bottom Line
For the Browns, the blueprint to upsetting Detroit is clear: take care of the ball, stop Montgomery and Gibbs from running wild, and feed Quinshon Judkins until the Lions prove they can slow him down.
But against a Lions team that’s rolling with confidence on both sides of the ball, even the best blueprint might not be enough. Sunday will tell us if Cleveland can truly execute — or if Detroit continues to look like one of the NFC’s most complete squads.