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3 things Browns fans should be thankful for about the 2020 season

By Dan Gilinsky

CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates with his teammates during player introductions prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates with his teammates during player introductions prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

2020 has worked out well for the Cleveland Browns so far

This season has been an enjoyable one for us Cleveland Browns fans.

At this point in the 2020 campaign, the Browns have a 7-3 record. That in itself is something, really.

After Cleveland’s W over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, it’s the first time since 1994 that Cleveland has started off a season that well after 10 games, which is telling.

Anyway, with Thursday being Thanksgiving, it seemed reasonable to point out a few things one should be most thankful for about the Browns thus far.

Three things, in particular, come to mind as a Browns fan

The first is well, not exactly, shocking.

No. 1: The NFL’s best running back tandem is on the Browns

No. 1 relates to how the Browns undoubtedly have the best backfield tandem in the league, in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. To this point, Chubb has had 575 rushing yards, and has had 6.0 yards per carry in five-plus appearances, to go with five rushing touchdowns.

And even though Chubb missed four games due to a knee injury, he has the most 20-plus yard runs in the NFL. Now, Chubb has been stacked up on a number of runs, but he’s consistently been able to hit home runs when he’s been active.

So how about Hunt, then? The hometown kid, who was a megastar at nearby Willoughby South High, has done admirable work. Hunt’s had 644 yards, averaged 4.4 yards per carry and has had four rushing touchdowns.

Albeit, he did only have 3.9 yards per rush when Chubb was inactive, but Hunt did still get his share of hard-earned yards. Plus, Hunt, just like Chubb, has made guys miss one way or another, and the two have both finished runs. Chubb is tied for second in yards after contact per rush, whereas Hunt is tied for fifth in that metric, per Pro Football Reference.

In addition to his rushing efforts, though, Hunt has had 22 catches for 151 yards, and has tacked on four receiving touchdowns. Hunt has forced a bunch of missed tackles on receptions in his past two seasons, too, and even after missing eight games last season due to his prior suspension, via Pro Football Focus’ Ian Hartitz.

https://twitter.com/Ihartitz/status/1330860903525302272?s=20

Overall, when this group has both been active, the Orange and Brown running back duo has often been able to wear defenses down this season, and Joel Bitonio and the offensive line deserves credit for that as well/o-line coach guru Bill Callahan.

Going on to No. 2, it’s about being “buttoned up,” if you will, and Browns first-year head coach Kevin Stefanski needs plenty of credit for that.

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