After starting the season with three straight wins, the Seahawks face a tough challenge in Week 4, facing a 2-1 Lions squad that is looking to build off of a 2023 season that saw them advance to the NFC Championship game. This will be the third meeting at Ford Field in as many seasons between these teams, with the Seahawks winning high-scoring thrillers each of the past two years.

To get you ready for this week's game, Seahawks.com reached out to DetroitLions.com senior writer Tim Twentyman with five questions about the defending NFC North champs.

After reaching the NFC Championship game last year, expectations are as high as can be for the Lions in 2020, with GM Brad Holmes stating the goal heading into the season was to "win the Super Bowl." It's obviously very early still, but how has the team handled those lofty expectations on the way to a 2-1 start, or is not even on the minds of Dan Campbell and his players?

Twentyman: Campbell talked to the players in a team meeting right before the season started and said he didn't want to hear anymore Super Bowl talk. Everyone in that room knows what the expectations are, and they have them for themselves, but at that moment moving forward he wanted it to be about the preparation and the work and having a one-game-at-a-time mentality. That's how they got to the NFC Championship Game last year and they hope that takes then all the way to the franchise's first Super Bowl bid this year.

The Seahawks and Lions have combined to score 161 points in two meetings over the past two seasons, yet early this season, both teams are winning in no small part because of their defenses. With that in mind, how are the Lions better equipped to slow Geno Smith and company this time around, or are they?

Twentyman: It's a whole new secondary in Detroit than the one Smith and the Seahawks torched to the tune of 328 passing yards and 37 points in a win in Detroit a year ago.

The Lions traded for veteran cornerback Carlton Davis III, signed veteran cornerback Amik Robertson in free agency and used their first two draft picks on Terrion Arnold (first round) and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (second). They also moved Brian Branch from nickel cornerback, where he started as a rookie last year, to safety and that's been a terrific move. He's a big-time playmaker at safety, Fellow safety Kerby Joseph has two interceptions in three games after recording four in each of his first two seasons. Those changes have allowed defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to play a more aggressive man-style defense he prefers.

On a related note, how will the Lions deal with the injuries they're facing?

Twentyman: The big loss will be All-Pro center Frank Ragnow, who Campbell has already ruled out for Monday. Expect veteran Graham Glasgow to slide over from left guard to center and a backup to play left guard.

Pro Bowl tight end Sam LaPorta is dealing with an ankle injury suffered last week vs. Arizona and has missed practice to begin the week. That will be one to monitor.

The good news on the injury front for the Lions is Branch (neck) and defensive tackle Alim McNeill (shoulder), both of whom left last week's win in Arizona and didn't return, both began the week on the practice field. I saw a press conference DK Metcalf did this week and he said Branch is the best defensive back the Lions have. I agree with him.

Other than the obvious big names, what player(s) could you see being an X-factor for Detroit in this game?

Twentyman: The Lions lost veteran edge rusher Marcus Davenport to a season-ending elbow injury last week. That's a big loss for this Lions defensive front. A couple names that will try to fill the void are third-year defensive lineman Josh Paschal, fourth-year inside/outside combo lineman Levi Onwuzurike and third-year edge rusher James Houston.

If those players don't find a way to step up and give Detroit some consistent production teams are going to put more resources into containing Aidan Hutchinson on the other side and that's not a great recipe for success for this Lions pash rush and pass defense. The Lions will be looking for good production from those three starting Monday night against Geno Smith and Co.

What matchup or matchups are you most looking forward to seeing play out on Monday?

Twentyman: The difference in this game could ultimately come down to explosive plays. Who can generate more of them? I really think that team has the best chance to win the contest. Can the Lions' new-look secondary limit Metcalf and the other big-play skill weapons for Seattle? Can the Lions get Jameson Williams loose behind Seattle's defense or hit on one of their patented trick plays, like the lateral from Amon-Ra St. Brown to Jahmyr Gibbs last week that went for a touchdown?