It’s Statement Time In Cleveland
Photo Credit: Andrew Nelles via USA TODAY Sports
While national sports media focuses on the Miami Dolphins’ 70-point performance and the dominance of the Philadelphia Eagles and San Fransisco 49ers, the Cleveland Browns have quietly slid under the radar. At 2-1, the Browns present an intriguing amount of upside. Yes, they are without one of the league’s best players in Nick Chubb, but with the outstanding performance of their new defense and a superstar quarterback who finally looked like he was starting to regain form last week, this is a team that could take the league by storm.
When the schedule makers released matchups back in April, Browns’ fans and media alike honed in on the first four games: all three divisional opponents wrapped around the Tennessee Titans. While the start seemed daunting, it also presented an excellent opportunity. In a division many felt would be the league’s most competitive, Cleveland could put early notches on their belt in attempt to gain supremacy.
Despite the difficult loss to the Steelers, the Browns are still in a perfect position to make a statement on Sunday. Defeating the Baltimore Ravens would officially announce to the league that this team is for real. All the pieces seem to be in place to do just that.
Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt slid in to fill Chubb’s absence and seem to be in rhythm with Kevin Stefanski. Stefanski finally found a way to get his superstar quarterback going, and the energy around their relationship is evident.
Watson, around whom difficult questions were starting to swirl, has at last shown glimpses of the player he is capable of being. Affirming that upward trend against a despised divisional foe would provide the sort of confidence that could catapult him into the upper tier of QBs. Helping him in that journey is a study group of receivers highlighted by Elijah Moore, who seems on the verge of a breakout. Moore’s speed and unique abilities in both the pass and run game strap him tightly to Watson’s trajectory. If the QB gets going, you can bet Moore will be the beneficiary, and defenses will be in trouble. Given what Watson did with the similarly built Will Fuller in Houston, there is reason to believe that, despite the slow start, this offense has the makings of something special.
All of this is stacked on top of a defense that you simply cannot deny.
Jim Schwartz has been everything that was advertised and more. His ability to take new editions Za’Darius Smith and Dalvin Tomlinson and wrap them into a four-man pressure has been outstanding. With all the talk around the NFL focused on modern offenses, what never gets mentioned is how most of the elite teams are actually winning. The Eagles, 49ers, and Bengals over the past few years have all had devastating front fours that can get home without help. Schwartz is providing that. It’s instantly given an uptick to a secondary that now looks very good, and a linebacking corps that for the first time in years looks efficient. This team is correctly built to both pressure the quarterback and stay within their own lanes to stop the run game with the front four.
If Cleveland puts it together defensively on Sunday the way they have the first few weeks, it could be a very difficult weekend for Lamar Jackson. If their offense takes another step forward, it could be a very difficult weekend for the entire city of Baltimore. If this team continues to follow their trajectory, it could be a very difficult season for the entire AFC.
The Browns have been building towards this moment for the last few years. It has finally arrived. It may just be a 1 p.m. early-season divisional game in the eyes of most, but anyone who follows this team know better. The Browns are ready to make a statement. A convincing win against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday will certainly do that.
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