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Burning Questions

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How do the Browns stop the Lions on 4th down? | Burning Questions

Browns travel to face the 2-1 Lions in Detroit on Sept. 28

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The Browns are set to take on their second NFC North opponent of the season when they face the Lions in Detroit in Week 4. The Lions are 2-1 on the season after beating the Ravens 38-30 in Week 3.

"Great challenge this week, going to Detroit to play a terrific football team. Obviously, everybody sees the talent they have on the football team, offense, defense, special teams. They're well coached, have a ton of respect for what Dan (Campbell) and his staff do," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Unique challenges every single week in the NFL. No different with their attack, I'm talking offense, defense or special teams. Very physical group."

Here are three burning questions for their Week 4 matchup against the Lions.

How does the Browns' defense stop the Lions on fourth down?

Through the first three weeks of the season, the Lions have converted 7 of 8 fourth down attempts. They are a team that will try for the first down, and the Browns must treat those fourth downs similar to how they would treat a third down. If they get the third down stop, the Browns must be prepared to make another stop on fourth down.

LB Carson Schwesinger said as a defense, they have to keep their momentum consistent on each down, staying prepared on fourth downs. As they face a physical offensive line, Schwesinger added they must play with a high level of physicality and dominate the line of scrimmage.

As the Browns prepare for the Lions' offense, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said their success on fourth down plays a role in their overall defensive approach.

"Just because, you know… make it third-and-10, usually you give up eight yards and punt team is coming off the field, right? These guys, it's not the case," Schwartz said. "And it's not just in the plus territory. I mean, the NFL is trending toward a lot of teams going for it on fourth down in plus territory. These guys will go for it in their own territory. They'll go for it midfield, they'll go for a little bit longer for it on fourth downs. So just knowing that going in, it layers your calls just a little bit different. It really doesn't change our attitude with the play. But maybe what you're willing to give up on a third down might not be the same this week as in other weeks."

Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 4 matchup against the Detroit Lions.

How do Joe Flacco and the receiving corps establish the pass game?

Offensively, the Browns have struggled to find consistency in the pass game through the first three weeks of the season. They rank 16th in the league in passing yards, averaging 203.7 passing yards per game.

Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said they are working to re-establish QB Joe Flacco's rhythm in the pass game. Flacco has completed 77 of 126 passing attempts for 631 yards and two touchdowns. He also believes that connection between Flacco and WR Jerry Jeudy continues to progress. Jeudy has caught 10 of his 21 targets for 134 receiving yards this season.

"I think we're close there," Rees said. "Again, there's a lot of parts of the offense that allow some of that to happen and putting Jerry in position to make sure that we're giving him the best opportunities to get open, finish some things. And yeah, we've had some chances there that maybe were just a little bit off, we've had some chances maybe we've missed, we've had some looks that we like that maybe just haven't connected. So, just continue to find ways to get him going and get the ball in his hands."

The Browns are facing a Lions' defense that has allowed 208.7 passing yards per game, ranking 15th in the league. Detroit has totaled 11 sacks this season, including seven in Week 3 against QB Lamar Jackson. Not only does the Lions' pass rush apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks – as they have also recorded 12 quarterback hits and 19 quarterback pressures.

"They play an aggressive style where they're going to challenge you and swarm it – and be aggressive and play lower and do things to try to make the quarterback feel uncomfortable," Rees said.

How do the Browns resolve their tackle situation?

Following the news of T Dawand Jones' season-ending knee injury, the Browns knew they would see some change to their offensive line at left tackle. They have options to fill the spot, with T Cornelius Lucas seeing playing time on both sides in the first three weeks of the season, as well as KT Leveston stepping in for snaps. They also signed T Thayer Munford Jr. to bolster the unit.

RT Jack Conklin is also questionable heading into Week 4 with an elbow injury. Conklin first suffered the injury in practice heading into Week 2 and missed both Week 2 and 3 with the injury. Stefanski said they will continue to evaluate Conklin, and his availability for the game will solidify how their starting tackle positions shake out against the Lions.

While those final decisions loom, Lucas said he used the week of practice to prepare to step into a starting role – such as he had done in the previous two weeks. Over the course of his 12-year career, Lucas has started 56 games and is relying on his experiences stepping into larger roles or starting jobs.

The rest of the offensive line – including LG Joel Bitonio – believe in the talent of their swing tackles to step into the roles they may be called to fill in Week 4.

"Cornelius Lucas has shown that he can play right and left tackle, which gives us kind of a piece that they can move around when you don't know who's really going to get out there," Bitonio said. "KT stepped up this last game and played, and he's young guy developing. We've obviously brought in a few guys, practice squad and signing out of the roster just try and give us options at the position. It's not easy, but that's why you practice, why we do walk throughs, that's why you have coaches to try and get these guys ready. I think the guys that are in there have worked and produced, and I think we're gonna try and find a game plan that suits our abilities up front."

Browse action photos from the Browns' 2025 Week 3 game against the Green Bay Packers, featuring top plays and moments.

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