Cleveland Browns: Overreactions to Week 4 vs Vikings

Third Overreaction – The Browns have a top-5 defense in the NFL

The one real bright spot in this week’s win against the Minnesota Vikings came by way of the dominant performance of the Cleveland Browns defense. As previously mentioned, the Browns defense was dominant, only allowing a touchdown, making it back-to-back weeks where the defense held a team to a touchdown or less. And look at that, they were both against NFC North teams!

Cleveland’s defense is tied for second in the NFL in terms of sacks, fourth in the league for completion percentage allowed, tied for sixth in terms of interceptions, second in sack yardage, and third in average yards per game, all of which is very impressive. Even if you just ignore statistics, the defensive unit as a whole passes the eye test with flying colors, it’s obvious that this is a championship-caliber team.

With Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett coming off the edge, the pass rush is better than it’s ever been before. The secondary, while they didn’t play as well as they did against the Bears, they were still solid, only letting up 203 yards through the air. Browns cornerback Greedy Williams also finished the game with his first career interception.

The defensive unit was absolutely the star for Cleveland and has been for the last couple of games. With how the Los Angeles Chargers have been playing, the defense will have to be in tip-top shape to contain the explosive offense powered by Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, and Mike Williams.

If the Browns defense can contain Williams, who is the Chargers’ true deep threat, there’s a very good chance they win this game. Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah showed out yet again, making his case even stronger for the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year honors this season.

JOK and Greg Newsome, as rookies, have made this defense even stronger.