The Cleveland Browns have been finding a way to get just enough done on offense to be carrying a three-game winning streak into Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.
But it is the defense that has been putting on a show in recent weeks.
Following the Week 1 disaster against the Jacksonville Jaguars, defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg regrouped, put his ego aside, and returned to what the Browns to best on defense, which is rush the passer and cover the receivers man-to-man.
The results have been
on the scoreboard, as the defense held firm on the final drive against Tampa Bay, shut down Carolina’s offense, and laid their annual home smackdown on Pittsburgh.
It will be the New York Jets turn on Sunday to face a defense that’s hitting its stride. If the Browns don’t stumble, and the offense continues to do just enough, then another Victory Monday could be in store.
But the game is still two days away, so let’s get today rolling with the latest edition of the Daily Dawg Chow.
Dawgs By Nature
Browns, Jets Week 5 injury report: New concerns for CLE on Thursday (Jared Mueller): Catch up on the latest injury news from the Browns and the Jets.
Browns keep adjusting on defense and finding success (Thomas Moore): Defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg has adjusted his defense each week with positive results.
Browns roster’s biggest need may not be at defensive end, but options might be limited (Jared Mueller): If the Browns need roster help, where will they find it?
Penalties are an epidemic for the NFL in 2026, not just the Browns; CLE stats are bad (Jared Mueller): What’s that? The Browns had a positive play? Hold up! There’s another penalty flag!
Browns’ 3-1 start feels different (Abby Mueller): “There’s a gleam, men. Let’s go find the gleam.” Question is, can this Browns team continue to find it?
3 things the Browns must do to defeat the Jets in Week 5 (Barry Shuck): The Browns never seem to have a good time when they hit the road to face the Jets.
The Feed
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Cleveland Browns
Browns rookie Spencer Fano no stranger to Jets edge rusher David Bailey (Beacon Journal): They say familiarity breeds contempt. Hopefully on Sunday, it leads to Fano having a big day.
Jared Verse says he’s just starting to cook, ‘don’t even think I took the meal out of the microwave yet’ (Browns Zone): Cleveland defensive end is just getting started on the season-long banquet.
It wasn’t a sack or turnover, but this Browns play might have said the most about their defense (cleveland.com): The Browns are making the kind of plays on defense that are difference-makers, even if they don’t make the highlight reel.
How Browns’ defense reemerged as a strength after Week 1 (ESPN): Cleveland has come a long way on defense since Week 1.
NFL
‘A loaded question’: How do the Ravens plan to stop Bijan Robinson? (ESPN): Can anyone really stop Bijan Robinson? Especially with Kevin Stefanski as his head coach?
Cam Heyward won’t ‘apologize’ for sideline outburst in Steelers’ loss to Browns (NFL.com): You would think that Heyward and the Steelers would be used to losing in Cleveland by now.
Sean Payton is taking over Broncos’ offensive play calling from Davis Webb (The Athletic): Four games with Davis Webb calling the offense was apparently enough for Payton.
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