The Browns return to Huntington Bank Field for their second home game of the season, looking to earn their first win of 2025. They host the Packers in Week 3, who are off to a strong start as they sit 2-0 through the first wo weeks of the season.
"Great challenge this week with the (Green Bay) Packers coming to town," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Coach (Matt) LaFleur does an awesome job with his team. He's always done a great job, and he's won a lot of games. They're playing great on offense, defense and special teams with a 2-0 record, so really talented team."
Here are three burning questions heading into their Week 3 matchup.
How can the Browns limit explosive plays from QB Jordan Love?
Defensively, both the pass rush and coverage will have tough assignments in Week 3 against the Packers, as QB Jordan Love looks to take shots downfield to his receivers.
In Week 2 against the Commanders, Love took a handful of shots downfield to set up the offense to score. He connected with TE Tucker Kraft for a 57-yard catch and run to set up a touchdown by WR Romeo Doubs, and another 37-yard catch by Malik Heath to then lead to a rushing touchdown by RB Josh Jacobs.
Stefanski reiterated the Packers can spread the ball around to multiple pass catchers and do so in a variety of schemes. Love has targeted 11 different pass catchers in the first two weeks of the season, with his main targets as Kraft and Doubs.
Love has thrown for 480 yards on 35 completed passes this season and is averaging 240 passing yards per game through two games. He is averaging 9.1 yards per pass and has thrown four touchdowns, while only taking two sacks. As a defense, the Browns will not only have to pressure Love but also cover Green Bay's receiving corps well to prevent those explosive plays.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said the Packers' success in the run game allows Love to take those shots downfield and look for receivers. While the Browns have to cover their receivers and apply pressure on Love, their run defense has also to limit the success of Jacobs. Through the first two weeks of the season, the Browns' run defense is the best in the NFL, allowing the fewest rushing yards per game at 45.5.
"When it's all said and done, on first and second down they're a run play action team," Schwartz said. "And when they play action, they want to take shots. And you look at (Jordan) Love and look at his completion percentage, and it's not eye popping the way some guys are. A lot of guys, its 75 percent, 70 percent. And it's not that he's an inaccurate passer, it's reflective of how many deep shots he takes. And they're very surgical with those. They use their run to set up that stuff. It doesn't work if you're not a good running offense, and it goes back to Jacobs. Their run creates their opportunities to push the ball down the field on those first and second downs. And that's just sort of built into the way they do things."
How does the offensive line restrict DL Micah Parsons?
The Browns will face another top edge rusher in Micah Parsons when they play the Packers in Week 3. In his first two games in Green Bay, Parsons has recorded three tackles, 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss and four quarterback hits.
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said they have to be prepared for how the Packers move Parsons around on the field and in different defensive packages.
"You've just got to be hyper aware of where he is," Rees said. "They do a nice job of moving him around, not just kind of being stationary where you can home in on it. They did the same thing with him in Dallas, where they were able to move him around. He's so versatile in his rush, he's so versatile athletically in what he can do. He's able to do those things, so you got to have awareness of where he is. Again, it takes all 11 of us to defeat a really good rush like that. But he's definitely a matchup that, there's guys across the league that you face, but he's in that upper echelon for sure."
While all 11 offensive players will have their individual roles in limiting Parsons, the Browns' offensive line will have to block well against Parsons in order to protect QB Joe Flacco. In the first two games of the season Flacco has been sacked four times.
"That means it's important for the offense to play together, play sound, play assignment sound, trust rules," Stefanski said. "And then running backs, tight ends getting involved, of course, in protection. And then quarterbacks making quick decisions and wide receivers getting open quickly. When you're facing a great rush team like we're facing, and I'm sure it's very similar when teams play us in our rush, you understand it takes everybody to be about business to be able to play productive football."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 3 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
A helmet during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) and Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Assistant Offensive Line Coach Ben Wilkerson during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Cornerback Tre Avery (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
A helmet during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Cornerback Tre Avery (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
A helmet during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Cornerback Tre Avery (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Defensive end Julian Okwara (53) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Wide receiver Kaden Davis (89) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 17, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 18, 2025.
How do the Browns utilize the run game?
The Browns face another stout run defense in the Packers in Week 3, who ranks second in the league in rushing yards per game with 48.5 — just behind Cleveland. Green Bay is also only giving up an average of 15.5 points per game.
"I think they have a good front, and they have dissuaded people maybe from running the ball early because of that front," Rees said. "They're a team that creates differences in how they build it, how they try to attack you up front."
Through the first two games, the Browns are averaging 82 rushing yards per game and just 3.6 yards per carry. They have totaled 46 carries in the first two weeks, finding more success in their run game in Week 2 against the Ravens with 115 net rushing yards.
RB Quinshon Judkins played a role in their improved run game in Week 2, as he ran for 61 yards on 10 carries and breaking out for a 31-yard gain. With depth in the backfield now with Judkins, RB Dylan Sampson and RB Jerome Ford, they can utilize their backs to their advantage to gain yardage and create a balance between the run and the pass game.
"That's what defenses are trying to do, they're trying to stop the run and make you one dimensional and then get after the passer," Flacco said. "So, it's our job to match that physicality and do the best we can in those areas of the game. I mean, that's the constant battle. Anytime you're going against a team with a good front though, obviously it's a challenge, and that's what we're getting ready to do this week."
