The Cleveland Browns showed their potential on the NFL’s opening weekend with a resounding win over the Carolina Panthers. Their two-point victory showed the improvement that the team desperately needed after a disappointing 2021 season, and should have the Browns in a position to make some noise in the AFC North this year.
Head coach Kevin Stafanski was optimistic that Cleveland could continue their run of dominance in Week 2, but told reporters in a Wednesday press conference that he respects the abilities of the New York Jets’ front seven. The running game gave the Browns an edge over the Panthers, but Stafanski wasn’t sure that the team would find as much success on the ground against a defensive line as dominant as New York’s.
“[They] really [have] an impressive front,” He explained of the Jets’ starters on defense. “Going up against Baltimore, which presents all sorts of unique challenges, I thought they did a nice job. They are an attacking front. Again, similar to what we preach here. Just the players that they have that can come off the ball and are physical and they wave them. [They] will play up to eight defensive linemen and just constantly coming at you. It is just a very aggressive front.”
Clearly, his comments are an indication that Stefanski knows that his offense cannot be one-dimensional if he intends to escape the matchup with a 2-0 record. Interim starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett will need to play a solid all-round game to keep Cleveland ahead, and with some help from the Browns’ surging defense, this game could have the makings of another scrappy victory for the team as they look to keep their hot start to the season rolling.
It will take a full team effort to make good on the promise of the Browns’ week one triumph, and with Stefanski’s expert hand guiding Cleveland’s preparation in the lead up to their tilt against the Jets, their chances at remaining undefeated seem to be reasonably high.
