If you are still on cloud nine after the Cleveland Browns gave the San Francisco 49ers their first loss of the season, well, you aren't alone. That was a massive win with all the odds stacked against the Browns.
In a game where Cleveland was given minimal chance to win, the team found a way to do whatever it took to get the job done and improve to 3-2 on the season.
The defense, which will be one of the three storylines to watch in Week 6 against the Colts (spoiler alert), made believers out of a lot of people, even if there are a select few who will give the 49ers the injury excuse. This unit is playing lights-out football and is a major reason this team is 3-2 as opposed to 2-3.
The Browns offense did enough to win the game and even got back on track in the rushing attack, which is a good sign moving forward.
Here are the three big storylines to watch when the Browns travel to Indianapolis in Week 6.
3. Is Jedrick Wills starting to figure it out?
I was one of the biggest Jedrick Wills supporters there was and then after so long of unwavering support, I finally had to let that go. However, after Sunday, put me right back on that train and I'll act as the conductor.
Big Jed was drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft with the hope he'd be the next Joe Thomas, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this year.
That wasn't fair to Wills then, nor is it now, but he hasn't played up to his potential on a consistent basis. He has some poor body language, especially after giving up a sack or what appears to be giving up on a play. The talent is there, but the effort doesn't always accompany that.
Going into last week's game against the 49ers, Wills was ranked the 71st-ranked run blocker and the 58th-ranked pass blocker in the NFL. That's not.....good by any stretch of the imagination.
Wills was trying to switch things up during the bye week, in his own quiet way, to work on the struggles and outside noise. Well, the bye looked like it came at the perfect time for this team and more importantly for Wills, who shined against San Fran.
According to PFF, Wills graded at a 69.0 (nice), which marked his highest-graded game since Week 8 of last season. On Sunday, Wills stepped his game up in a big way, including down the stretch, where he was fully engaged and made some huge blocks to spring running back Jerome Ford free on a pivotal drive late in the game.
While it was only one game, this could be the game to kickstart Wills into a good NFL left tackle. He doesn't have to be Thomas, but he has to be a guy this team can rely on.
2. Browns can win no matter who is starting at quarterback
For the third consecutive game, we don't know if Deshaun Watson will be the starting quarterback for the Browns due to a "microtear" in his rotator cuff muscle.
In Week 4, it was rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson who was tasked with starting for Watson and it did not go well as DTR is still a rookie after all. To be fair to the rook, he didn't know he was starting until 10:30 AM the day of the game.
In Week 6, the Browns turned to PJ Walker, an XFL legend and a guy who made seven NFL starts in his career. In Week 7, it could be much of the same, which isn't a bad thing.
Due to how the defense has played (yes, we are getting to them, just hold on, we're going home) it really doesn't matter who is under center. Let me be very clear; the Browns are better with Watson as the signal caller, but they can, and proved last week, they can still win games.
Walker was 18/34 for 192 yards and two interceptions last week, but you can expect him to bounce back from that should he be the starter again. Kevin Stefanski, who is under heavy criticism from a minute portion of the Browns' fanbase (absurd), always finds a way to get the most out of his quarterbacks who don't fit the bill for the national media.
Whether it is Watson or Walker or the ghost of Spergon Wynn, the defense can carry this team where the quarterback doesn't have to play hero ball.
Update: Watson returned to practice on Thursday but has not yet been announced as the starter in Week 7.
1. Defense could be in line for a big day, again
The Cleveland Browns boast the absolute best defense in the NFL and that is not up for debate. To add onto that, Jim Schwartz was the best offseason acquisition in the NFL bar none. This defense went from putrid to Freddy Krueger levels of nightmare scares for opposing offenses.
Here is some statistical evidence as to why Cleveland has the best defense in the NFL right now and is on par with some of the best in league history. All three of these stats are league-best, so keep that in mind.
This unit has allowed 52 first downs, 23.1% on opponent third-down conversions, and has given up just 1,002 yards, a feat that hasn't been accomplished in over 50 years. If that doesn't get your gears grinding, I don't know what will.
Last week on the Faithful Dogs Podcast, I said that Brock Purdy was a top-five quarterback in the NFL. Well, the Browns' defense made Purdy look pedestrian and was able to pressure him on 19-of-36 drop-back attempts. That speaks to scary levels.
Gardner Minshew will start the remainder of the season after rookie Anthony Richardson was said to be having shoulder surgery, abruptly ending his inaugural campaign in the NFL. He is a solid backup quarterback, but he isn't as good as Purdy, nor does he play under Shannahan.
The defensive line, led by Myles Garrett, who has a new cast of teammates to get wicked with, should have a big day against Minshew. Last week, they sacked Purdy three times. This week, you should bet the over if the total is 5.5.
There are playmakers all over this defensive unit. The defensive line and secondary are playing complimentary football, which allows the linebackers to do their job to the fullest effect, led by Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
We can sit here for hours highlighting each and every member of the defense, but JOK deserves a lot of credit. With how Schwartz runs his defense, he allows guys like Owusu-Koramoah to evolve into the weapon the Browns drafted him to be.
With no disrespect to them, but the Colts are certainly not the 49ers in terms of offensive weapons, which plays right into the hands of Schwartz and arguably the best cast of defensive players he's ever coached.
This is a game the Browns should win, regardless of who is under center, due in large part to how good this defense is.