The Lions don't just have DE Myles Garrett's number circled. They also have DT Maliek Collins starred and DT Mason Graham's number highlighted.
And when they welcome the Browns to Detroit for their Week 4 matchup, the Lions know the stout defensive front they will face with Cleveland in town.
"They can really cut it loose and with that front four, they play fast, penetrating-style defense," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. "This defense, I've already mentioned, I think is the best that we will have faced."
Heading into Week 4, the Browns' defense leads the league in total defense with the fewest total yards allowed per game with 204.3, the fewest rushing yards allowed per game with 57.3 and is ranked fourth in the league in pass defense with 147 passing yards allowed per game.
The Browns' front four features two "game-wreckers," according to Campbell, with Garrett and Collins. Campbell said Collins – who has 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, five tackles and one tackle for loss through the first three games of the season – is playing at a high level. In order to prepare for Collins on the interior and Garrett on the edge, Campbell said they have to use their resources and rely on helping their tackles in Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell and the guards in Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge.
Campbell also added that they must execute correctly on each play, because with one wrong play, it's an opportunity Garrett can take advantage of.
"He's got everything. It starts with his size, his length, his get-off, his flexibility, his ability to bend the edge," Campbell said of Garrett. "So, you get a jump, you've got length and now you can touch your shoulder on the ground when you turn the corner. I mean that makes it very difficult. And so, he's got power, he can counter, he's got everything and so there's not a weakness. You're an elite athlete and you've got all these tricks and traits and craft and so he's got it all. I mean that's the bottom line."
And while the two veterans provide a threat of their own, the Lions also highlighted the impact rookie Graham has had on the defensive line with his ability to pass rush on the interior. In his rookie season, Graham has recorded 11 tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit and half a sack. He also has one quarterback pressure.
"This guy is – he's playing at a high level, he has for a number of years," Campbell said of Graham. "But he just can get an edge and he's not losing it. So, it's going to be big for our guys to be fundamentally sound. We're going to have to adjust to the speed of these guys, that's why it was big for us to go against Houston in training camp - very similar style. But that's somebody else we've got to take care of."
With a tandem of talented interior defensive linemen with an edge rusher like Garret, Lions offensive coordinator John Morton highlighted the importance of protection for their gameplan to protect QB Jared Goff. This season, the Browns' defensive line has totaled nine of their 11 total sacks and 18 of their 22 total quarterback pressures on opposing quarterbacks.
Goff noted the level of physicality in how they rush as a unit, and acknowledged how the presence of Garrett, Collins and Graham on the defensive line changes the way their offensive line approaches their blocking techniques, with not being able to slide to both Garrett and Collins. Goff said with how the Browns line up, it could leave someone on their offensive line in a one-on-one matchup, so they will have to be prepared to win those matchups in order to slow down the Browns' front four.
Morton added that the Lions' offensive line must be prepared for the pressure from the interior up the middle in order to keep Goff in his spots, not get flushed out of the pocket and not get the offensive line pressed into man-to-man.
"They're solid. They're really good," Morton said. "They get after it, they're relentless. That's the biggest thing that you see. I mean, is speed coming off the ball. They're great technicians. We've got to be on top of our game."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 4 matchup against the Detroit Lions.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
The team during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
The team during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
The team during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (64) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning/Sports Science Coach Josh Christovich during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Assistant Wide Receivers Coach Stephen Bravo-Brown during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
The team during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) and Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (81) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver DeAndre Carter (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Bill Willis Diversity Fellow Michael Bearden during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Assistant Offensive Line Coach Ben Wilkerson during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Offensive tackle Joshua Miles (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Coordinator of Coaching Logistics Jacqueline Roberts during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Offensive Line Coach Mike Bloomgren during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillip (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Director of Player Development and Strength and Conditioning Carson Walch during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Cornerback Tre Avery (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Offensive Line Coach Mike Bloomgren during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 24, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Cornerbacks Coach Brandon Lynch during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Cornerbacks Coach Brandon Lynch during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Cornerback Tre Avery (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Director of Equipment Operations Kory Gillissie during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Offensive Assistant/Offensive Line Coach Sanders Davis during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 25, 2025.
