The Cleveland Browns are gearing up to take on the undefeated Green Bay Packers for their third game of the 2025 regular season.
The Packers are entering Cleveland feeling very confident about how their season has started with a 2-0 record. Seventh-year head coach Matt LaFleur has his team ready to roll behind the arm of quarterback Jordan Love, who has impressed early in 2025. Green Bay is currently sixth in the NFL with an average of 27.0 points scored per game. This was no easy feat, as they had to beat two of the NFC’s best teams in the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions.
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The main storyline for the Packers has been the acquisition of defensive end/OLB Micah Parsons. With head coach Matt LaFleur announcing that Parsons could longer be on a snap count, the Browns should prepare for him more than anyone else on this roster. After facing two of the league’s best offenses in 2024, Green Bay should have no problem matching up with the Browns. Cleveland’s only hope is that quarterback Joe Flacco and his offensive weapons can be more prepared than they’ve been in previous weeks.
Let’s now take a look at the five Packers players the Browns will need to focus on in Week 3:
LB Micah Parsons
Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) warms up at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, September 7, 2025.
Green Bay spent its offseason surrounded by playoff hopes and a franchise-changing acquisition. Since being traded to the Packers, Parsons has had to deal with a limited snap count but has still made the most of his opportunities. In just two games, he’s already totaled 1.5 sacks and 3 combined tackles. If it’s true that he will no longer be on a limited snap count this Sunday, expect him to double those numbers against the Browns.
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The Browns are once again expected to be shaky at their offensive tackle positions. Right tackle Jack Conklin is still dealing with an elbow injury and looked hesitant in this week’s practice. On the left side, the Browns had to rotate between Dawand Jones and KT Leveston after Jones overheated in Week 2’s matchup. No matter who is lined up at game time for Cleveland’s offensive line, they’ll need to do their best to keep Parsons and company off of Joe Flacco.
QB Jordan Love
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) against the Washington Commanders on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Another reason for the Packers’ hot start has been the success and good decision-making of quarterback Jordan Love. To start the season, Love has collected four passing touchdowns and 480 passing yards with no interceptions. While those numbers might not seem overly productive, they’ve been the perfect complement to Green Bay’s rushing attack. Stopping either phase of the offense will be an issue for the Browns, especially when facing a quarterback like Love.
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Love will face an angry Browns secondary that gave up four passing touchdowns to the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday. They’ve also yet to force an interception through two games, something players like Denzel Ward are desperate to fix. The Packers are set to be without wide receiver Jayden Reed and possibly tight end Tucker Kraft, which would significantly impact their passing attack. We’ll see how Love adjusts without some of his top weapons.
RB Josh Jacobs
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) tackles Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) during the second half at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday, September 7, 2025.
Besides Jordan Love, the other half of the Packers’ offense runs through star running back Josh Jacobs. In his first two contests, he has totaled 150 yards and two touchdowns. Luckily for the Browns, he enters with just a 3.6 yards per carry average, which Cleveland’s defense will look to continue into Week 3. Last week, the Browns had four defensive linemen grade above 85.0 overall. Repeating that performance would ensure Jacobs has little impact in this game.
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The Browns have held their last two opposing offenses to an average of 2.0 yards per carry, which was especially impressive against Ravens running back Derrick Henry. With solid linebacker play from Devin Bush and rookie Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland should have no issue limiting the Packers’ rushing attack. However, they’ll also need to make sure Jacobs has limited opportunities in the passing game.
DT Rashan Gary
Sep 7, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Rashan Gary (52) during the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Along with Micah Parsons, another key player on Green Bay’s defensive front is veteran Rashan Gary. The 2024 Pro Bowler is off to another excellent start, totaling 10 tackles and 2.5 sacks in just two games. He’s also done an excellent job of slowing opposing rushing attacks with his 69.7 overall PFF grade, which ranks 25th among all edge rushers through the first two weeks of the season.
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The Browns reported that Joel Bitonio has been dealing with a back injury for the second straight day as of Thursday. If the Packers and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley are able to find a weak link in Cleveland’s offensive line, they’ll make sure Gary or Parsons exploit it. To shut down Gary’s hot start, the Browns’ offensive line will need to play at its best—something we haven’t seen yet this season.
WR Romeo Doubs
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) celebrates his touchdown catch during the first quarter of their game against the Washington Commanders Thursday, September 11, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Doubs is expected to take on a much larger role in Week 3 against the Browns defense. With top wide receiver Jayden Reed out and tight end Tucker Kraft questionable, Doubs is likely to be Green Bay’s top receiving threat. He’s collected 96 yards and one touchdown so far in 2025 but should see an increase in targets this Sunday.
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Cornerback Denzel Ward matched up well in his first game against elite wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase but struggled last weekend against multiple Ravens receivers. The cornerback group as a whole had a rough outing that they’ll need to move past if they want success going forward. When it comes to covering Jordan Love’s top threats, Romeo Doubs will be priority number one.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: 5 Green Bay Packers the Browns must focus on in Week 3’s matchup