RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues
ROSTERED IN: 28% of Leagues
ANALYSIS: The San Fransico 49ers were hoping to become the first team since the 2007 Patriots to complete a perfect regular season. They had an average point differential of 19.8 over the first five weeks, but then they ran into the brick wall known as the Cleveland Browns' defense.
Want to see how dominant they are? They currently rank first in the least yards allowed, first in the least passing yards allowed, fourth in the least rushing yards allowed, and first in the fewest yards and points allowed per drive.
The Browns defense wants all the smoke. pic.twitter.com/n1ZDQl6OcE
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) October 16, 2023
New DC Jim Schwartz has done a tremendous job with this unit. He has led several top-ten defenses throughout his career (2002, 2007, and 2008 Titans, 2014 Bills, 2017, and 2019 Eagles) and even turned the 2008 Lions into a solid defense in the early 2010s as the HC. He is a legitimately good DC and has done a great job with this defense that ranked 25th in the least points per drive last season.
This unit is one of the few cases of a "set and forget" defense and it's surprising to see them being slept on. Their schedule is also very favorable, as their game against San Fransico was their toughest matchup of 2023.
They will also face some poor and below-average offensive teams that will struggle mightily against this defensive unit. Teams such as the Colts (20th in points per drive), the Cardinals (19th), the Steelers (30th), the Jets (28th), and even the Bengals (29th) will be easy teams to shut down for Myles Garrett and company. Unless any injuries happen, you should seriously consider getting the Browns' defense while you still can.
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