The Browns welcome the undefeated Packers to Cleveland for a Week 3 matchup on Sept. 21.
After two consecutive losses to begin the season, the Browns have the chance to wreck the Packers' so-far undefeated season. The game also presents an opportunity for the Browns to get their first win of the season in front of their home crowd.
As the Browns get ready to face the Packers for the first time in four seasons, here are three keys to the game.
Stop Green Bay's rushing attack
Through the first two games of the season, the Browns' defense has shut down the opposing run game, allowing 45.5 yards per game, the lowest in the NFL. Against Bengals RB Chase Brown and Ravens RB Derrick Henry, the Browns held each to 43 and 23 rushing yards, respectively.
The Browns will face Packers RB Josh Jacobs, a running back who has given defenses trouble. Jacobs ran for 84 yards against the Commanders in Week 2 and has the eighth-most rushing yards among running backs in the NFL. Jacobs' ability to find gaps and holes at the line of scrimmage and burst through is where the trouble begins in stopping him, according to Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
"Sort of an old school, full-time running back. Breaks a lot of tackles. Really strong, great contact balance and really good vision," Schwartz said. "He presses the hole as good as any running back, if not better than any running back in the league. And we have to be really physical at the line."
Interior defenders for the Browns like defensive tackles Mason Graham and Maliek Collins will be in charge of making sure the holes in the line are plugged up. The linebacker core will also have to rush to the line of scrimmage to stop Jacobs from getting significant yardage.
"He's a powerful runner and he runs with a lot of effort, too," LB Carson Schwesinger said. "So, for us, it's the first guy in being able to hold him up. And then we have to rally to the ball too."
Find success in the passing game
In Week 2 against the Ravens, Baltimore created issues in the Browns' passing game, forcing QB Joe Flacco to complete 55 percent of his passes. This week against the Packers, Flacco will be called on again to lead the offense, including piecing together the pass game.
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said one reason why Flacco wasn't able to get in sync was due to pressure from Baltimore. Rees added that the offense didn't get the right pre-snap look at times, messing up any potential rhythm for Flacco.
Rees pointed to Week 1 when the Browns went on 10-play drives as examples of Flacco getting into a rhythm and operating the offense. In the Browns' four possessions of 10-plus plays against the Bengals, the Browns scored points on three of them.
"You have that long drive, you have early success, which I think is important. So, as coaches, it's, 'How do we get him into that? How do we make sure that we're being clear during the week on different things,'" Rees said. "We're trying to get to pre-snap because when he is in a rhythm, he'll hit a bunch in a row, and we've seen that. So, it's our job to put him in that position."
Facing the Packers front four that features DL Micah Parsons and DL Rashan Gary, withstanding pressure will be key. Both players have demonstrated that they can get to the quarterback this season. Gary has recorded 2.5 sacks this season while Parsons has recorded 1.5 sacks. The pressure from Green Bay adds to the importance of the Browns offensive line to give Flacco time in the pocket.
"I think (Micah) Parsons brings up another dynamic player, but I would say the guys they had there before were all pretty good too," G Joel Bitonio said. "So, I think bringing him in and they're very versatile in where he can line up, so they'll line him up right, left, in the middle. We're all going to have our hands full, but it's a talented group."
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.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 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.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 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.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 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.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 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.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 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.
Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 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.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Dale Jones during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Tight Ends Coach Christian Jones during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Bill Willis Coaching Fellow Michael Bearden during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 19, 2025.
Win the turnover battle
In both games this season, the Browns have turned the ball over while the defense has yet to record a takeaway. The Ravens forced two turnovers against the Browns as well as blocked a punt, scoring either on the play or the ensuing drive. The 21-point swing played a key role in the 41-17 loss.
This season, the Packers have just one takeaway, an interception of Lions QB Jared Goff in Week 1. Meanwhile, the Browns are making a concerted effort in trying to get their first takeaway of the season. Schwartz said that the Browns don't need to cheat on plays to get takeaways.
Schwartz said the Packers like to throw the ball deep, providing an opportunity for the Browns to get an interception. If the Browns' cornerbacks can stick to their men, then they could have a chance to come down with a lofting ball in the air. Love has yet to throw an interception this season, and the Packers don't have any fumbles, meaning they've been safe with the ball.
If the Browns can force the Packers to make a mistake this week and win the turnover battle, then it will help the offense and Cleveland's chances of winning their first game of the season.
"Play within the scheme, play tough, play physical and swarm the ball and then that kind of stuff will come. You're not going to make all those plays," Schwartz said. "Ball goes on the ground; they're going to recover some of them. You're not going to catch every (ball). Wide receivers don't catch everyone. But those will go a long way to setting us up for scoring and, you know, setting ourselves up a little bit better in the game."
