Through five games, the Cleveland Browns defense has flexed their muscles to the surprise of many around the league. The big names from last year returned, and the new names all over the field have provided sparks.
Through Week 6, the Browns are 3-2 and have already had their bye week. They beat the Super Bowl-aspiring San Francisco 49ers 19-17 in their most recent outing, and have some favorable matchups on defense in the near future. When asking just how defensively dominant this Browns team has been, there is one stat that answers all questions about the unit.
Browns Defense Prevent Yardage at All-Time Rate
Yardage Allowed Through Two Divisional Games
Per the NFL, the Browns defense has given up just 1,002 yards through their first five games. This is the fewest allowed through a team’s first five games in 52 years, when the 1971 Indianapolis Colts allowed 836 yards in their first five. This number is third all-time behind the 1971 Colts and 1970 Minnesota Vikings who allowed 945 yards through five games. Being the third team in NFL history to accomplish this feat is a testament to the coaching, players, schemes, and everything in between that has helped the Browns to a winning record thus far.
Going into the year, the Browns first five games looked like a mighty task for the defense, and some of them still were. They played two straight divisional foes to start the year, including a Cincinnati Bengals offense in the opener that had weapons all over the field. They held the Bengals to just 142 total yards including just 67 passing yards from a talented passing attack.
defense got after it from the first play and didn't let up#CLEvsPIT Monday night on ABC pic.twitter.com/9so2CxPdp1
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 13, 2023
This momentum carried into Week 2 against divisional rival Pittsburgh Steelers, who had just 255 yards of offense, 71 of which came on one play. Besides a long touchdown, the defense did not give up any other scores besides field goals, as the offense led to two of three Steelers touchdowns.
Continuing the Success
Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans, the Browns defense allowed zero touchdowns, meaning through three games they gave up just one offensive touchdown. The Titans offense moved the ball for just 94 total yards, yes, 94. Including holding All-Pro running back Derrick Henry and the ground game to a measly 26 rushing yards.
picture perfect 🖼#TENvsCLE on CBS & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/wAsWXjWkl2
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 24, 2023
Week 4 the Browns played the last of their divisional games to start the year against a dual-threat Baltimore Ravens offense. They gave up their highest total of the year with 296 total yards allowed, and the Ravens found the endzone with a steady dose of passing and running. The defense still led the league in multiple categories heading into the bye week.
With multiple big players missing on the offense, and Super Bowl favorites San Francisco 49ers coming to town, the defense knew it had their biggest test yet. The 49ers experienced injuries during the game, but the high-powered offense was held to 215 total yards. The Browns offense under a new quarterback signed the week of the game put up 334 total yards. 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy accounted for under 100 yards for the majority of the game and finished with just 107 passing yards. The 19-17 Browns win may be what is needed to motivate the team for the rest of the season.
Looking Ahead for Browns Defense
The Cleveland Browns defense has survived tough tests against great offenses so far this season and has led the team to a winning record after six weeks. With seven of their remaining 12 games on the road, they will need to stay healthy and motivated as the season heads into the middle third. The Browns defense should not have too much of a problem two of the next three weeks when they face Gardner Minshew and former-Brown Joshua Dobbs. They may have a little trouble traveling to Seattle and facing the high-powered offense of the Seahawks.
Taking out the divisional teams which make up three of the remaining 12 games, as well as the three games previously mentioned, the Browns will continually have games where they can rely on the defense. The Broncos have failed to do much offensively all year, and the Bears and Jets have both had their struggles. The Rams, Jaguars and Texans are tougher offenses to handle but if the Browns defense plays anywhere close to what they have been, they will have all the reason to believe they can win all of these games.
The Browns defense will look to continue their dominant success and prevent big plays when they travel to Indianapolis next week.
Main Photo: Ken Blaze – USA Today Sports
