Cleveland Browns

Our team assessment

Article cutoff 2026-10-06

Browns | 3-1

Cleveland has won three straight close games while still showing a weaker whole-season balance than its 3-1 record. Its offense made useful gains on 42.9, 37.7 and 36.1 percent of plays before reaching 50.0 percent Thursday. That improvement is real, but a single stronger game does not erase the previous stalls. The Browns have allowed 30 long gains against 17 created, and opponents have taken 92 offensive points from 22 threatening drives against Cleveland's 81 from 22.

Todd Monken was “Not happy about the sack”. Deshaun Watson's late loss of yardage turned the finish into a 56-yard kick rather than an easier attempt. Andre Szmyt made it, but the operation still made its final job harder. The defense created two interceptions, one on Pittsburgh's last desperation throw, while Cleveland's own two giveaways included a return mistake. All four season takeaways were defensive. The comeback habit has value. Depending on a late kick every week leaves very little cushion for an ordinary error.

After opponent punts or failed fourth downs, Browns possessions have begun at their own 23.9, on average, across 17 competitive drives. The weekly average has varied widely, from their own 13.4 to their own 35.2. The latest game averaged their own 13.4. The resulting possession started at midfield or closer to the end zone in 3 of those 17 cases. These are actual starting spots, including punt returns, rather than a measure of the defense alone. The return unit has added 21 punt-return yards over the season. Pre-snap changes before the first run or pass affected 2 of these drives; those changes are excluded from the listed starting spots. Starts following turnovers are counted separately: 2 competitive possessions at their opponent 42.0 on average.

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