Browns biggest surprise of 2023 thus far has them in a great situation

Cleveland Browns are 5-3 and two games above .500 due to the play of their defense. Heading into 2023, Cleveland invested heavily in improving the unit. Those investments have paid off and Jim Schwartz is currently leading a defense that is allowing the least yards per game in the NFL at 256. There were expectations […]

Brandon Little — Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns News Writer

Nov 6, 2023 5:30 PM EST

Cleveland Browns are 5-3 and two games above .500 due to the play of their defense.

Heading into 2023, Cleveland invested heavily in improving the unit. Those investments have paid off and Jim Schwartz is currently leading a defense that is allowing the least yards per game in the NFL at 256.

There were expectations for the Browns to be an improved unit in 2023 but no one saw the defense being this good, if they say they did they’re lying. It’s easily the most surprising storyline of the season so far.

Through Week 9, the Browns are allowing the least past yards per game in the NFL at just 145. Pro Bowl CB Denzel Ward is playing at a high level and Martin Emerson Jr. has solidified his spot as the team’s No. 2. Greg Newsome II handles the slot and Grant Delpit looks like a Pro Bowl safety.

The work on the back end has paired well with the Browns and what they’re doing up front. Myles Garrett already has 9.5 sacks and is in the midst of a Defensive Player of the Year campaign. Additions like Za’Darius Smith, Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Maurice Hurst, and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo have all worked out well along the front.

Cleveland is allowing the third least points per game (17.4) and the sixth least rushing yards (89.8). It isn’t just on part of the defense standing out, the group is playing lights out collectively. Against the Cardinals in Week 7 during the Browns’ 27-0 win, they allowed just 58 yards.

This kind of play the Browns need to show up against the division. Baltimore and Pittsburgh are the next two games on Cleveland’s schedule and both teams have already handed the Browns a loss. One of the only defensive letdowns this season came against Baltimore in a 28-3 defeat on Oct. 1. Of course the offense was spiraling that game and the defense was on the field a ton.

Cleveland has a legitimate defense that is Super Bowl caliber, but that can’t be overlooked. The Browns badly need the offense to play consistently and they’ll be able to play with anyone they’ll see.