For the first time this season, the Browns’ offense will have to shoulder the load, and this week could be its toughest test yet.
Cleveland BrownsWe often get stuck looking at overall statistics when evaluating teams. We stay involved in what teams have been doing throughout the season to determine what they bring to the table on Sunday.
Doing so usually gives you a good idea of what a team is like, but for this opponent it would be a trap.The Bears enter Sunday’s game with a record of five and eight, last in the NFC North. However, this team has hope.
After the game against Cleveland, there are still three winnable games on the schedule and nine victories in the NFC playoffs.10.12.2023; Cleveland, Ohio, United States; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) celebrates his touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Chicago’s defense is experiencing a very specific turning point in its season. On October 31, the Bears and Commanders reached a deal that sent Montez Sweat to Chicago and improved the defense. Through the first two months of the year, the Bears were a bottom defense.
They were 28th in points per game, 23rd in total yards allowed, 30th in passing yards per game, last in sacks and 22nd in takeaways. In weeks nine through fourteen, they rank ninth in points per game, with 18.2.
They rank fifth in total yards given up per game, are fifth in passing yards per game and second in takeaways with 11. That’s to say they’ve turned the corner. the things around it would be an understatement.Sweat leads the charge forward for this group.
In just five weeks, it’s the team’s second sack with 3.5. His total of 10.5 sacks would be first on the team. They will be without pass rusher Yannik Ngakoue, who broke his ankle last week.
The two linebackers in this defense are studs. TJ Edwards has totaled 131 tackles this season and will be everywhere on Sunday. He tackles in the running game, but also has four passes defensed and four interceptions all season.
His running mate, Tremaine Edwards, missed two games but still has 83 tackles on the year, five tackles for loss, five passes defensed and three interceptions. He is tall and thin, a problem at the second level of the defense.
The Bears secondary is led by cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who is having a fantastic season. According to Pro Football Focus, he is currently the highest-graded cornerback in the entire NFL.
His PFF grade of 90.6 consists of his four interceptions, a pick six and nine passes defended.
The Browns will face the other side of the field, Tyrique Stevenson. While Johnson is the highest-rated corner in football, Stevenson is one of the worst.Cleveland’s offense is scheduled to show up on Sunday.
The Bears won’t feel bad because of all the injuries and they won’t keep us out of the playoffs because of all the injuries.
For the first time this year, Cleveland’s offense takes over the defense. We’ll see if they can do it.
