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NFL Week 4: One offense & one defense to watch
Week 3 of the NFL brought balanced results. Half of the games were close, with the other half being runaway victories.
Week 4 begins Thursday night in Arizona, with an NFC West matchup between the Seahawks and Cardinals. These are DAZN News’ offense and defense to watch ahead of this week.
Offense: Detroit Lions
After a shaky start in Week 1, the Lions’ offense scored 90 points across its next two outings. The stretch vaulted them into the top five in both yardage and points per game. This scheme has been balanced through Week 3, with just over half of its plays being passes.
Detroit’s offense starts with its running game. First-year starters Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge are playing well up front, and this unit blocks exceptionally on gap-style runs.
David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are a handful in this backfield. Both are top 15 backs in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and rushing efficiency. Montgomery leads the NFL in yards per carry (6.9), and is tied for second in explosive runs (10-plus yards) with six.
This is the only offense that has two true feature backs. The depth at the position gives the Lions’ offense a considerable advantage. The inside versus outside running split is virtually even, allowing Detroit to use the running game throughout drives, and in different styles.
The Lions are adding points at the second-highest rate in the league on called throws. Jared Goff’s completion percentage is a ludicrous 77.9%, and he’s thrown seven touchdowns to one interception.
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Detroit is a top five play action team. Goff’s accuracy, paired with the running game, is tough for opposing defenses.
Blocking included, Amon-Ra St. Brown may be the NFL’s best all-around receiver. He’s caught 20 of 24 targets this year for 237 yards. That's 11.9 yards per catch to go with a tie for the league lead in touchdown receptions (4).
With Jameson Williams running deep routes, and Sam LaPorta’s ability near the line of scrimmage, the Lions have the same variation through the air as on the ground
This arsenal has produced a league-leading 16 trips to the red zone in 2025. The Lions face one of the league’s best defenses at home against the Browns in Week 4.
Defense: Cleveland Browns
The Browns are a lopsided team, with their defense carrying the weight. Cleveland leads the NFL in yardage allowed per game (204.3), and is tied for second in sacks (11). The unit engineered an upset victory last week, holding an efficient Packers offense to 10 points.
Everything starts up front with Myles Garrett - the NFL’s best pass-rusher. At 270 pounds, Garrett is one of the league’s quickest players off the ball. His athleticism and size are unique, even to the NFL. Garrett’s win rate on passing plays is over 40%.
Maliek Collins is Garrett’s partner on the right side, and is off to the best start of his career. Collins has two sacks of his own, and is among the top 10 pass-rushers in overall win rate (running and passing plays).
Any offense must restrain these two players to move the ball on Cleveland, and it won't come easily. They are keys to the Browns limiting opponents to only 57 rushing yards per game - best in the NFL.
The Browns’ linebacking corps was a question mark this preseason, but Devin Bush and Carson Schwesinger are stopping the run, and covering well.
Both are top 30 players in run-stopping tackles, and both have limited completion percentages under 70.0%. This combination is what every defensive coordinator hopes for at the second level. Schwesinger looks promising as a second-round pick.
Cleveland is fourth in passing yardage allowed (147.0). The pass-rush plays a role in this, but the Browns have two excellent exterior corners in Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome. Additionally, they are receiving superb play from their safeties Ronnie Hickman and Grant Delpit.
Both Hickman and Delpit are conceding passer ratings in the 50s, and are combining to allow just over 20 yards after the catch per game. Limiting production through the air, and in the open field, compresses the gridiron for Cleveland’s opponents, and forces them into the hands of their stout front seven.
Week 4 is a measuring stick for this unit. They face a Lions offense that attacks from all angles on the ground, and through the air.
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