Detroit Lions vs Cleveland Browns NFL Preview: Team news, betting, tickets, live stream, Fantasy Football and more

Detroit draws its second consecutive AFC North foe when the Lions welcome the Cleveland Browns in Week 4.

Fresh off a statement-making upset in Week 3, the Detroit Lions return to Ford Field this Sunday to square off with the Cleveland Browns. Sitting at 2-1, Detroit is riding the momentum of its primetime triumph over Baltimore on Monday Night Football. 

That win didn't just pad the standings, it sent a clear message to the rest of the league that this isn’t the same old Lions. With reinforcements steadily returning to the lineup, this roster looks deeper and more dangerous by the week, and it's hard not to mention them as a legitimate Super Bowl threat.

Cleveland, meanwhile, pulled off a gritty upset of its own, outlasting Green Bay 13-10 in a defensive slugfest where special teams helped seal the deal late. The Browns' defense has flashed elite potential, delivering a pair of standout performances already. If a few more breaks had gone their way, they might easily be sitting at 2-1 themselves.

For Detroit, the challenge is mental as much as physical. The Lions can't afford to get caught believing the hype or assuming their superior record tells the whole story. The Browns may not have the prettiest resume at 1-2, but as Green Bay just learned, Cleveland has enough fight, and enough defense, to ruin anyone's Sunday if overlooked.

Detroit Lions vs Cleveland Browns kick-off time

NFL

Ford Field

The Lions and Browns will meet in Week 4 of the NFL season at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday, September 28, starting at 1:00 pm ET.

Team news & squads

Detroit Lions team news

The Detroit Lions shuffled the roster a bit on Wednesday heading into Week 4. Tight end Ross Dwelley was elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, while defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson was brought in to fill the vacant practice squad spot. Those moves came on the heels of Monday’s news that pass rusher Marcus Davenport (chest) was being placed on injured reserve.

Injury-wise, there's a mix of positives and setbacks. Linebacker Derrick Barnes popped up with a knee issue and was limited midweek, while D.J. Reed (cramping) practiced fully. The biggest boost for Detroit comes in the secondary—All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph is completely off the injury report after battling a knee problem, and Reed is no longer carrying a knee designation either.

The bad news: offensive tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder), edge defender Al-Quadin Muhammad (knee), safety Daniel Thomas (forearm), and running back Sione Vaki (groin) all sat out practice.

On the field, Detroit's offense has been electric, sitting second in the NFL at 34.3 points per game. The defense, though, has been far less consistent, giving up 26 points a contest, which ranks 23rd. Jared Goff has been dealing with machine-like efficiency, throwing for 761 yards while completing nearly 78 percent of his passes. On the ground, David Montgomery leads the way with 233 rushing yards, while Amon-Ra St. Brown continues to shine as Goff’s go-to target, hauling in 20 passes for 237 yards and finding the end zone four times already.

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Cleveland Browns team news

Joe Flacco hasn't exactly lit up the scoreboard as Cleveland's starter, tossing for 631 yards with two touchdowns against four costly interceptions. He’s flashed a handful of big-time throws, but too often his gamble-heavy style backfires. Jerry Jeudy remains the most reliable wideout with 10 grabs for 134 yards, though rookie Fannin has quickly become Flacco's go-to, pacing the team with 15 receptions for 136 yards. On the ground, the Browns finally found some juice with rookie Judkins, who’s taken control of the backfield since Week 2, rushing for 155 yards and a score on 28 carries.

The real muscle, though, is the defense. Myles Garrett is already at four sacks, leading a unit with 11 total—second most in the league. PFF even ranks their pass rush No. 1 with a dominant 90.2 grade. If the offense ever finds rhythm, this group can keep Cleveland in any fight.

Injury-wise, Deshaun Watson, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and Martin Emerson Jr. are out, but all eyes are on the health of Jack Conklin (elbow) and Joel Bitonio (back). If either lineman sits, this offense could be in real trouble.

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Watch and live stream Lions vs Browns in the USA

The Lions vs Browns game in Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season will be broadcast live on FOX. Fans in the local markets will still be able to catch the coverage onFubo (Try for free today!).

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More details on where to watch the game in the United States, including streaming options, will be released soon, so keep an eye out for our dedicated coverage.

Watch and live stream Lions vs Browns worldwide

For fans outside the U.S. looking to stay plugged into the action,NFL Game Pass on DAZN is the ultimate ticket. It serves up more than 200 regular-season and playoff matchups, complete Super Bowl coverage, plus access to NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and plenty more to keep you locked in all year long.

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To bypass regional restrictions or to access the game if you are travelling abroad, you can watch the action using a Virtual Private Network like ExpressVPN.

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How to buy Lions vs Browns tickets

The showdown between the Lions and the Browns is set for Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, a venue that packs in up to 65,000 fans and promises a fiery atmosphere on game day.

Tickets are already up for grabs on StubHub, with entry starting at $386. From there, prices climb through the tiers — $300, $400, $500, $600, $700, $800, $900, $1,000, and stretching all the way into the premium ranges of $2,000, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $6,000, and topping out at $10,406 for the best seats in the house.

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READ MORE: NFL 2025 Tickets: Prices, deals, season tickets & membership information

Lions vs Browns Fantasy Football

Jared Goff (projected 18.4 fantasy points in Week 4) found the end zone just once on Monday night, but he delivered a steady performance overall, avoiding costly errors and keeping the offense moving. While his fantasy output wasn’t eye-catching, he remains a dependable streaming option for managers looking for week-to-week stability at quarterback.

The Detroit Lions showcased just how dangerous their two-headed rushing attack can be in Monday night's primetime win over Baltimore. Jahmyr Gibbs (13.6 projected W4 fpts)and David Montgomery (8.8 projected W4 fpts) both found the end zone twice, but it was Montgomery who stole the show. Despite just 12 carries, he erupted for 151 yards, including a 72-yard dash and a 31-yard touchdown. 

After modest outings in Weeks 1 and 2, the veteran back picked the perfect time to deliver his biggest performance of the season. With Gibbs' explosiveness complementing Montgomery's power, Detroit looks like an even scarier opponent when both backs are firing on all cylinders.

Joe Flacco (14.4 projected W4 fpts) has had a rough start to the year, as Cleveland’s offense continues to sputter out of the gate. The veteran quarterback has thrown for under 200 yards in two of the Browns’ first three outings, managing just two touchdowns while being picked off four times during that stretch. Given his struggles and the unit’s lack of rhythm, Flacco isn’t a recommended fantasy option heading into Week 4’s matchup with the Detroit Lions.

Quishon Judkins turned in a strong performance in Cleveland’s Week 3 victory over Green Bay, racking up 95 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 19 touches, good for 16.5 fantasy points. The rookie dominated the Browns’ backfield workload, handling 18 of their 19 rushing attempts, and continues to look every bit the feature back in Kevin Stefanski’s system. With his burst through tight running lanes and ability to absorb contact while staying upright, Judkins should remain heavily involved.

Lions vs Browns Game Predictions

Cleveland's Week 3 victory over Green Bay was a statement about the bite in its defense, but Sunday's matchup poses a stiffer test. Jared Goff handles pressure more calmly than Jordan Love, and the Lions boast sturdy bookends on the offensive line to keep him upright. 

Rookie back Quinshon Judkins and the Browns’ defense could keep things competitive, yet a breakout performance from Amon-Ra St. Brown and a pair of takeaways by Detroit's defense should pave the way for a comfortable double-digit Lions win.

Lions vs Browns Betting Odds

Spread

Browns +8.5 (-112)

Lions -8.5 (-108)

Moneyline

Browns: +360

Lions: -470

Total

44.5 (Over -115/Under -105)

Form

Head-to-Head Record

DET

Last 5 matches

CLE

2

Wins

0

Draws

3

Wins

• Cleveland Browns

  13

  -

  10

  Detroit Lions

• Cleveland Browns

  20

  -

  16

  Detroit Lions

• Detroit Lions

  17

  -

  35

  Cleveland Browns

• Detroit Lions

  38

  -

  24

  Cleveland Browns

• Detroit Lions

  13

  -

  12

  Cleveland Browns

Useful links

• Lions 2025 NFL schedule: TV channel, livestream & where to watch the games
• Browns 2025 NFL schedule: TV channel, livestream & where to watch the games
• How to watch and live stream NFL football for free and without cable
• 2025 fantasy football rankings: Running back (RB) | Wide receiver (WR) | Tight end (TE) | Quarterback (QB)