What a start for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and the defense of the Cleveland Browns through the first five games of the season. They went out and shut down one of the best offenses in football limiting them to only 17 points. The offense needed the defense to help them out with Deshaun Watson and Joel Bitonio, and boy did they deliver.
According to a stat posted after the game by the NFL on CBS, the Browns defense has allowed 1,002 yards total all season which is the lowest number through five games in over 50 years. That stat is also the third-fewest through five games in NFL history a truly historic start.
Andrew Berry rebuilt the defense line in the offseason and they have been terrific so far. Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson was fantastic against the 49ers and was in the backfield nearly every snap. Ogbo Okoronkwo was a forgotten man after the Za’Darius Smith trade but Ogbo has been great as both a pass rusher and run defender.
Martin Emerson Jr. got his first interception of his career and after another shutdown performance deserves more national recognition. Finally being kept clean with good defensive line play Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has shined as a fast athletic linebacker that erases running angles to make impact plays.
The OBR’s Cody Suek posted another great stat that the Browns have allowed only a 31.2% success rate through the first six weeks of the NFL season. Whatever way you cut it Schwartz’s unit is one of the league’s absolute best and they may be number one.
