The Cleveland Browns defense has been a revelation this year, and it’s a big reason why the team sits at 5-3 and squarely in the playoff hunt.
Coming off a 27-0 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland currently has allowed the fewest yards and the third-fewest points in the NFL. The Browns allowed only 58 net yards in the win, which is the fewest in a game this season and the fewest in franchise history, per the team.
But perhaps more impressive is that the Browns had already been atop this list twice: When they allowed just 142 net yards against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 and 94 yards in Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans.
Fewest net yards allowed in a game this season:
1. @Browns vs. Arizona 58
2. Browns vs. Tennessee 94
3. Browns vs. Bengals 142
4. 49ers vs. Giants 150— Dan Murphy (@DMurph_BrownsPR) November 6, 2023
This is a testament to the defensive adjustments made by new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Not only have the Browns been stout on the whole, but Cleveland is also No. 1 in passing defense and No. 6 in rushing defense.
It’s been hard to move against the Browns all season, and the work of players like Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward should make Cleveland tough task for any time looking to get ahead in the AFC North or conference standings.