The Detroit Lions have yet to play their Week 3 game against the Baltimore Ravens on “Monday Night Football,” but the folks over at FanDuel Sportsbook are already looking ahead to Week 4. The Lions will host the Cleveland Browns next Sunday, and FanDuel Sportsbook is projecting Detroit to be heavy favorites, setting the opening betting line at Lions -8.5 points.
The Browns (1-2) had a rough start to the 2025 season, losing a tight game to the Bengals (17-16) in Week 1, then getting smashed by the Ravens (41-17) in Week 2. But Week 3 brought some joy to Cleveland, as they took down the previously undefeated Packers with a fourth-quarter comeback that included 13 unanswered points, a late-game interception, a blocked field goal, and a game-sealing walk-off 55-yard field goal to win 13-10.
Defense is the name of the game in Cleveland. Myles Garrett has been sensational, currently leads the NFL with four sacks, and should be in the early Defensive Player of the Year conversation. But the Browns have been getting contributions from all over the field.
Here’s a look at what they’ve held offenses to over their first three games.
Passing defense held opposing quarterback to…
- Week 1, Joe Burrow: 14 of 23 for 113 passing yards, a TD, and a passer rating of 87.8
- Week 2, Lamar Jackson: 19 of 29 for 225 passing yards, 4 TDs, and a passer rating of 128.6
- Week 3, Jordan Love: 18 of 25 for 183 passing yards, a TD, an INT, and a passer rating of 89.2
Rushing defense held previous team to …
- Week 1: 46 rushing yards, Chase Brown led with 43
- Week 2: 45 rushing yards, Derrick Henry led with 23
- Week 3: 81 rushing yards, Josh Jacobs led with 30
The Browns are one of just two teams in the Super Bowl era to have held offenses to under 400 total yards through two games and still start the season 0-2. The reason? Their offense has struggled to do much of anything.
It starts with quarterback Joe Flacco, who has simply been bad. Through three games, Flacco is averaging 42 passing attempts, but only completing 26 for 210 yards passing, and has just two touchdowns compared to five turnovers (four interceptions and a fumble lost).
If there is hope for the offense, it’ll likely come via rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, who joined the team in Week 2 and snapped off 61 yards on 10 carries against the Ravens. Then followed that up in Week 3 by tallying 94 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown against the Packers—an impressive 5.54 yards per carry.
So, what do you think? Will Detroit’s offense overpower the Browns defense at home? Or will this game be tighter than what’s being projected?
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