NFL Week 4: Offensive Keys To The Game Lions vs. Browns
The Cleveland Browns #1 ranked defense rolls into Ford Field to face The Detroit Lions #3 ranked offense. A clash sure to be full of fireworks early.
This cross-conference showdown pits two of the NFL’s most intriguing teams against one another in a battle that will test strengths, reveal weaknesses, and shape both teams’ narratives as they exit September and the 1st quarter of the season comes to a close. Cleveland arrives buoyed by a gritty Week 3 home win versus the Packers, while the Lions return home fresh off a signature Monday Night road victory over Baltimore.
This article will dive deep into the offensive game plan as seen by Will Rock.
Who Are The Browns On Paper?
Let’s not kid ourselves here, this Browns’ defense is playing at the highest level in the league right now. Currently ranked #1 in total defense allowing 204 Yds P/G, #4 in passing defense, allowing 147 YDs P/G, #1 against the run, allowing 57 YDs P/G - according to FOX SPORTS.
With few areas of weakness on paper and even less that show up on film. Starting with red zone scoring, the Browns are currently tied for 25th allowing a TD on 68.7% of trips inside the red zone. The Browns also allow 45.5% of 3rd down conversions, ranked 26th worst in the NFL. The Browns defense is allowing an alarming rate of 14.7 third downs per game, leaving the Browns susceptible to points off conversions.
Jared Goff Vs Cleveland’s Rush Game
Former Lions head coach and current Browns’ defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, is coming back. You can bet on the fact he is going to challenge Jared Goff to win consistently from muddy pockets. Schwartz’s pressure simulations have historically succeeded in forcing mistakes from quarterbacks who struggle when under duress. Unfortunately for Jim, Goff has been one of the best QBs in the league the last 3 seasons at managing pressure.
Goff 2024 Season: 390/539 Passing - 4,629 TDs - 37 TD - 12 INT
Completion % under pressure: 54.4% (6th) | Overall: 72.4% (2nd)
Yards per attempt: 7.4 (4th) | Overall: 8.6 (2nd)
Passer rating under pressure: 86.5 (8th) | Overall: 111.8 (2nd)
Time to throw under pressure: 3.26 (26th) | Overall: 2.76 (17th)
Goff 2025 Season: 74/95 Passing - 761 YDs - 7 TD - 1 INT
Completion % under pressure: 66.7% (2nd) | Overall: 77.9% (1st)
Yards per attempt under pressure: 10.3 (2nd) | Overall: 8.0 (5th)
Passer rating under pressure: 83.3 (11th) | Overall: 120.2 (2nd)
Time to throw under pressure: 3.43 (11th) | Overall: 3.05 (3rd)
*Stats Provided By NFL Pro
Can Goff Handle The Pressure?
Early-season data confirms Jared Goff has picked up right where he left off in 2024 with one major difference. Goff has been more efficient, more accurate, and more turnover-averse under pressure. He’s been pressured on 30 of 102 drop backs (29.4%), absorbing four (4) sacks in Week 1 but none (0) in Weeks 2 and 3. That shift reflects a clear uptick in communication and offensive line cohesion, allowing Goff to stay on schedule, work through progressions, and deliver strikes with precision.
Whether facing interior heat, edge rush, or delayed blitz, Goff has shown poise—climbing the pocket, escaping with his legs, and protecting the football. OC John Morton has leaned into speed outs and rollouts, minimizing turnover-worthy throws while maximizing Goff’s accuracy on intermediate and outlet routes. Play-action under pressure has been especially lethal, with Goff repeatedly hitting St. Brown and LaPorta on crossers, curls, and sit routes to neutralize edge threats and extend drives.
What We Learned From Week 2: Packers Vs Browns
Jordan Love was pressured 38.7% on 31 drop backs with a 72% completion rate on just 2.56 seconds of time to throw. The Packers ran 35.5% of plays with play action, Love completed 6/8 for 50 yards and 130.2 passer rating with 2.83 seconds time to throw. Love took 2 of his 5 sacks with 5 pressures while operating from play action per NFL PRO.
Browns Stunting & Twisting Chaos | Video Review
This Jim Schwartz defense is using multiple stunts and games to get to the Love. The Browns can win with four. This will be the biggest test of the season for Jared Goff and this young offensive line. What Tate Ratledge & Christian Mahogany are about to experience will be the equivalent of taking a ride in the Gravitron all game long (if you know you know).
1st Video Clip (:00 - :38): TT Stunt Perfection. Graham (first red circle) sets the trap with a stutter and violent club, then rips through and loops behind Collins. Collins (second red circle) slices across the center’s face with an angle stunt and finishes with a power rip. But it’s McGuire (third red circle) who makes it all possible—crashing inside and tying up both the guard and tackle, clearing the lane for Graham to detonate the middle.
2nd Clip (:39 - 1:57): Graham (red arrow) wrecks the interior with a hesitation stutter, into a grab-shuck-rip combo— collapsing the pocket and forcing Love to move up. On the edge, Alex Wright (red circle) shrugs off the initial chip from (TE) Kraft, who releases upfield. Morgan (RT) undersets against Wright, who’s edge work is surgical with a quick swipe-rip combo flattening his path decleating Love for the sack.
3rd Clip (1:58 - 2:51): Garrett (first red arrow) launches off the edge with low bend and violent speed, baiting the overset and timing a late rip to flatten straight to the QB. Inside, Huntington (second red arrow) clubs the guard off balance, swipes the recovery attempt, and rips violently through the inside shoulder. Speed-power-technique-perfection!
4th Clip (2:52 - 3:28): Nearly a mirror of clip one. McGuire (first red circle) ghosts the edge, baiting the lunge before ripping and flattening. Graham (second red circle) eats the guard and center, holding the twist creating space. Garrett (fourth red circle) draws three bodies. That frees Collins (third red circle) to hammer the center with perfect timing and leverage. The pocket implodes—Collins wraps clean, a masterclass in layered rush design.
May The Schwartz Be With You Goff 🫢
How Can The Goff Beat The Pass Rush?
Jared Goff’s ability to stay clean and composed against the Cleveland Browns’ relentless pass rush will be a defining factor for the Detroit Lions this weekend. To neutralize Cleveland’s defensive pressure, the Lions must lean into quick-game concepts, pre-snap motion, timing & rhythm busters, protection adjustments and uptempo personnel traps - that allow Goff to diagnose and deliver. Strategic use of play-action, outlet routes, and pocket movement will be key to keeping Goff upright and the offense on schedule.
1. Disrupt TT Stunts With Interior “Dual” Protection
Call: Dual protection rules — center stays square, guards pass off twist without chasing.
Execution: Graham and Collins thrive on TT timing. Detroit must keep Graham from looping clean behind Collins.
Matchup: M.Graham vs Tate Ratledge is the stress point. Glasgow must anchor and communicate early.
Result: Prevents interior collapse and keeps Goff’s launch lane intact.
2. Chip With A Hip - Widen Garrett’s Path
Call: TE stab chip (LaPorta) or RB hip-check (Montgomery) to Garrett’s side.
Execution: Force Garrett to rush wider, delaying his arc and flattening his angle.
Matchup: Garrett vs Taylor Decker — Decker must avoid oversetting; chip help buys time.
Result: Goff gets 0.5–1.0 extra seconds to hit intermediate routes before the pocket caves.
3. Sprint-Out Play-Action Away From Pressure
Call: Sprint-out to Goff’s right (always away from Garrett), with LaPorta in the flat and St. Brown on a drag.
Execution: Move the pocket to neutralize edge speed and TT stunt timing.
Matchup: Forces McGuire and Collins to redirect; Garrett can’t bend the edge if the QB isn’t there.
Result: Goff throws on the move with clean vision, especially effective on 2nd-and-medium. (1st QTR Vs Bears 14:15) (3rd QTR Vs Ravens 1:23)
4. Mid-Zone Duo Runs Punish Upfield DTs
Call: Duo with Montgomery; mid-zone with Gibbs and slice motion.
Execution: Use Graham’s and Collins’ upfield aggression against them — double team, bounce, and cut.
Matchup: Ratledge and Glasgow vs Collins/Graham — win the double and force second-level fits.
Result: Keeps Schwartz’s front honest and slows their pass rush get-off.
5. Quick Game: To St. Brown & LaPorta
Call: Slant-flat, stick, and sit routes — 2.2s trigger window.
Execution: Goff hits back foot and fires; no time for TT stunts or edge bend to develop.
Matchup: St. Brown vs zone defenders; LaPorta vs LB leverage.
Result: Forces Browns into tighter coverage shells, reducing blitz freedom.
6. Max Protect Shot Plays Delayed Release
Call: 7-man protection with LaPorta and Montgomery in; Jameson Williams on deep post.
Execution: Sell run, hold protection, release LaPorta late into the flat.
Matchup: Garrett and Graham are absorbed; Goff gets time to launch.
Result: Punishes aggressive fronts with explosive plays.
7. Hard Count Dummy Cadence Disrupt Timing
Call: Freeze count, dummy motion, and late snap.
Execution: Schwartz’s front wins on timing — change the rhythm.
Matchup: Garrett and Collins jump early; Lions OL resets.
Result: Slows rush, draws offsides, and forces hesitation on stunts.
8. Screen Game: Gibbs & LaPorta
Call: TE delay screen; RB flare screen off play-action.
Execution: Invite the rush, then dump behind it.
Matchup: Graham and Collins overcommit; linebackers are late.
Result: Turns pressure into chunk gains and forces zone discipline.
9. Red Zone Misdirection to Counter Interior Collapse
Call: Jet motion + play-action boot; LaPorta leak or Gibbs swing.
Execution: Browns rank 25th in red zone TD rate — misdirection punishes their aggression.
Matchup: Garrett and Graham bite on run; Goff rolls away.
Result: Easy throws into vacated zones - thinking LaPorta often here.
10. Tempo and No-Huddle to Prevent Substitution
Call: No-huddle after chunk plays; keep Browns’ base front on the field.
Execution: Prevent Schwartz from rotating fresh rushers (Garrett, Graham, McGuire).
Matchup: Fatigue sets in; Lions OL wins with conditioning and rhythm.
Result: Goff controls pace, OL controls matchups.
Key Player Matchups: Lions Offense
Lions Offensive Line vs. Browns Defensive Line
The Browns will test Detroit with twists and interior stunts (Collins + Graham), communication between Glasgow and Mahogany is critical. If Detroit passes off games cleanly and Goff maintains his 2.37s average time to throw vs. man, the Lions can blunt Cleveland’s rush.
Sewell vs. Garrett is the heavyweight clash. Garrett’s speed‑to‑power and bend force tackles to overset, which opens inside counters. Sewell’s anchor and balance will be tested every snap.
Detroit OL: LT Taylor Decker, LG Christian Mahogany, C Graham Glasgow RG Tate Ratledge, RT Penei Sewell.
Run Blocking: Penei Sewell best RT (92.1) & run blocker in the game (94.5)
Pass Pro: Allowed pressure 29.4% of dropbacks (7th) 0 sacks since WK2
Run Game: Montgomery 6.9 YPC (1st) - 4.82 YCO (2nd) Gibbs 4.2 YPC (15th);
Explosive Runs: Gibbs & Montgomery combined 10 runs of 10+ yards
Rookie Watch: Tate Ratledge ranked 6th best guard overall by PFF
Cleveland DL: LDE Myles Garrett, LDT Maliek Collins, RDT Mason Graham RDE Isaiah McGuire.
Pressure: 7th in NFL, 43% pressure rate
Tackling: 4th‑fewest missed tackles
Explosives allowed: Only 15 total (4th‑lowest), just 3 on the ground
Run defense grade: 1st in NFL (per PFF)
TFL/No gain: 18 plays (5th‑most)
Depth of tackle: 2.31 yards (best in NFL)
St. Brown “The Man Beater” Vs Browns Man Defense
The Browns roll into Week 4 with the NFL’s most aggressive man‑coverage defense 47.4% of defensive snaps played—the highest rate in the league—and sitting last in zone usage. If the Browns stick to their identity, St. Brown is the Lions’ best weapon to flip Cleveland’s strength into a liability and tilt this heavyweight matchup.
Through three weeks St. Brown has commanded a 41.7% target share vs. man and has been untouchable: 10 targets, 10 catches, 11 yards per reception, three touchdowns, and eight first downs. When Jared Goff looks his way against man coverage, the result has been nearly flawless—a 152.1 passer rating, just shy of perfection.
Cleveland’s defense has been suffocating, but St. Brown has been the ultimate man‑beater. His ability to separate on crossers, curls, and option routes makes him nearly un-coverable when corners are left on an island. Expect Jim Schwartz to counter with man‑plus brackets and splitting leverage inside and out, but that only underscores how much attention the “Sun God” demands.
Bracket Counter: If Cleveland brackets St. Brown with Greg Newsome and safety help, Detroit must counter with motion, stacked releases, and crossers to force leverage shifts.
Explosives: Offense ranks 6th in explosive pass rate (15+ yards); Amon‑Ra St. Brown has 3 TDs vs. man already
Efficiency vs. Man: Goff has been the league’s most efficient QB against man in 2025 — 68% success rate, 84% completions, 8.2 YPA, +22.9% Pass EPA (1st in NFL), zero sacks, zero INTs
Tackling Stress: Detroit ranks 5th in yards after catch per reception (6.2) — forcing DBs to finish plays in space
Red Zone: Lions converting 68% of red‑zone trips into TDs (4th)
Jameson Williams (WR) vs. Denzel Ward (LCB)
Use Jameson Williams to Stretch the Shell. Denzel Ward will likely shadow Williams, but Detroit can scheme him open with vertical crossers and quick slants off stacked sets. One explosive play from Williams forces Cleveland to loosen its coverage structure — opening the middle for LaPorta and Gibbs.
How to beat it:
Deep crossers vs. Cover‑1 to stress the free safety.
Quick slants/outs to punish Ward if he undersets.
Bunch formations to avoid press
Stacked releases to avoid jams.
Sam LaPorta: The Chain-Mover vs. Aggressive LBs
Cleveland has not allowed squat to tight ends so far through three weeks, Bush has allowed just 15 yards on 62 coverage snaps. The Browns linebackers (Jerome Baker, Devin Bush) fly downhill like missiles, that aggression opens seams. If St. Brown is bracketed, LaPorta becomes Goff’s lifeline. LaPorta can chip Myles Garrett, then slip free into the flat, drift behind blitzing linebackers on crossers, or body up smaller safeties in the red zone.
LaPorta’s path to success:
Chip-release to slow Garrett, leak into flat
Crossers behind blitzing LBs
Red zone curls/fades vs. smaller safeties
Isaac TeSlaa vs. Anyone
Get this man involved!
Rocks Final Take:
This is a statement game for Detroit’s offense. Cleveland’s defense is elite — violent, disciplined, and suffocating. But Detroit has the tools to flip their identity. If Goff stays clean, St. Brown manipulates leverage, and Williams hits one explosive, the Lions can force Cleveland out of man and into survival mode.
The blueprint is there. Now it’s about execution.
John Morton must use motion, condensed sets, and layered route concepts to force Cleveland’s DBs into conflict. The Browns thrive when they can play straight man and rush four. Detroit must make them choose — bracket St. Brown and get burned by LaPorta, or play single-high and risk Williams over the top.
As a famous philosopher named John Morton once said, “I don’t think they’ve seen a run game like ours yet.” Let’s show them what we can do Detroit!
Let’s Go Lions!
New Section: Weekly Stats Predictions
Jared Goff: 24/34 253 yards -
Amon-Ra St.Brown: 6/68 - 1TD
Jameson Williams: 4/65 - 1TD
Sam LaPorta: 3/33 - 1TD
Isaac Teslaa: 2/25 - 1TD
Brock Wright: 1/7
David Montgomery: 10/65 - 1TD | 3/16 Receiving
Jahmyr Gibbs: 6/40 | 5/39 Receiving
Rock’s Lock - Lions win: 35-14
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