The Cleveland Browns are at a pivotal juncture. Sitting at 3-1-0, they can either improve or implode. It happens. And not just with past Cleveland seasons, but across the league.
Just gaze at the standings this year. Both the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans were playoff teams last year. The Texans were one game out of winning their third straight AFC South Division title. The Chargers had back-to-back 11-6-0 seasons. Yet now, both teams are 0-4-0.
RELATED: BROWNS HAVE A CHANCE TO PROVE THEY
BELONG
Collapses happen frequently in the landscape of the NFL. And Browns fans realize this. Many expect it, while others assume it will happen at some point in the season.
Up next, Cleveland travels to New Jersey to meet the New York Jets in the early game. The Jets are 1-3-0, but aren’t as bad as their record indicates. After defeating the hapless Tennessee Titans 23-10 in their opening game, they have lost two of three games by less than six points. Yes, the Chicago Bears took this roster to the woodshed in a 23-12 beatdown last week that was never close, but the Jets have been hampered by penalties, turnovers, and a lack of offense.
What must the Browns do in order to defeat the Jets?
Limit the penalties
Okay, everyone knew this one would be front and center. The Browns are killing themselves with untimely penalties. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they had 14 accepted for 88 yards. There were other calls that the Steelers declined and took the yardage instead. In the first quarter alone, Cleveland had five penalties accepted, and two declined. Nine penalties in the first half.
The term “shooting yourself in the foot” applies here. The Adin Huntington sack right before the half was wiped out by the hands-to-the-face call on Sam Williams. A third-and-eight during the first drive of the second half became a third-and-13. The pass interference call against the rookie S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren was a fourth-down play that eventually became a touchdown. The nice strike to Jeudy with 1:11 left in the game was negated by a false start on LG Zion Johnson. Jared Verse’s encroachment gaffe on the one-foot line gave the Steelers offense some breathing room, and then Verse had an offside that set up the two-point conversion.
In the win over the Carolina Panthers, the Browns had 12 penalties for 84 yards. Against Tampa Bay, six were accepted for 50 yards. And in the Week 1 loss to Jacksonville, Cleveland had 14 penalties for 88 yards.
For 2026, the Browns are ranked #1 in average penalties per game (10.8), #5 in penalty yards per game average (74.3), #1 in pre-snap penalties (21), #1 in penalties declined (6), and #1 in penalties accepted (43).
Run the ball
Head coach Todd Monken installed this new offense based on the short passing game and establishing the run. Except the Browns haven’t been a very good run team to date. Here’s the kicker: The Jets aren’t good against the run, ranking #25 in the league. That is their defensive weakness.
Cleveland hasn’t used RB Quinshon Judkins that much so far in four games, as he is averaging fewer than 15 carries per game and only gets 3.0 yards per carry on average. Light him up and give him the ball against New York. Running backs still matter in this game. Judkins entered the season with Top-5 rusher expectations, but his average yards per carry and YAC numbers (94) just aren’t very good. The Jets’ rushing defense should allow Judkins an opportunity to pad his stats.
The Jets are in the bottom third of almost every rushing stat. They are allowing 4.3 yards per carry on average, which is respectable, and only one of 20+ yards. But they are not protecting the “A” and “B” gaps where teams are gaining their most yardage. New York is allowing a first-down run on 25% of defensive snaps. If Cleveland can wear down the Jets’ defensive front, the fourth quarter won’t provide much of a resistance.
Defense must contain Jets playmakers
It is no secret about WR Garrett Wilson and RB Breece Hall. They are exceptional players in this league. The Browns will need to focus on taking both guys out of the offensive game plan. The defensive focus should be to attempt to contain the Jets to 20 points or fewer.
Hall hasn’t had a good year so far, with just 51 carries for 163 yards gained and a single touchdown. His best runs have been around the edge, where he has been able to cut upfield. In the trenches is where he has been turned away. That is a good plan for this talented running back. He has been nursing a quad injury since Week 3 and is currently week-to-week. Hall did not practice on Wednesday and could miss Sunday’s contest.
Wilson has three 1,000-yard seasons, but he was injured last year with a knee sprain, which shut down his season. He remains a problem for every defensive backfield. Except for last year, he has always had good YAC numbers and is an explosive playmaker. Wilson is able to get good separation and is a shifty receiver. They can also change the narrative in a game.
Browns DC Mike Rutenberg will need to come up with a plan so that neither of these players can control the game. Make other New York offensive players gather the spotlight, and if they produce and shine, so be it. But don’t allow both Hall and Garrett to get loose and do what they do best.
What do you think is the key factor for the Browns to win in Week 5 versus the Jets?
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