The Cleveland Browns suffered a heartbreaking 17-16 loss to their in-state rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals, on Sunday. While the defeat was crushing, there were plenty of bright spots in such an agonizing way to lose a football game.
Week 1 was a tough loss in a game that Cleveland should have won with the defensive effort and the offense doing just enough. However, it is very rare that you play a near perfect game every week in the NFL. Outside of 4 plays, the two interceptions and two missed kicks, the Browns did a great job. But that trend is unlikely to continue as the season moves along especially with the caliber of opponents on the horizon.
Wins and losses are going to be a very tough way to judge this season even though that is really the only way the NFL measures success. You do not receive any points for optimism and while things looked positive, this team will have to do some work in the win column in order for the front office and coaching to maintain their positions after this season.
Build Off This Defensive Performance
Heading into the season, there was excitement regarding the defense. After being the number one ranked defense in 2023, the unit took a major step back in 2024. Andrew Berry added two key pieces in the first 33 picks of this years draft to address some major concerns. Those key pieces are defensive tackle Mason Graham and linebacker Carson Schwesinger.
While those pieces were added, linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and cornerback Martin Emerson were lost for the season. Both were big contributors.
Schwesinger, after finishing training camp as the most outstanding player, had 8 tackles and 3 tackles for loss on Sunday. He also had a major hit causing a pass breakup on third down to force the Bengals to kick the field goal. Carson has the tools and the instincts to be a special player in the middle of the defense, that much is evident already. While JOK is out for the season, it seems Schwesinger will take huge advantage of the opportunity.
Over the past couple of years, there has been a lot of talk about Greg Newsome being the slot corner. With Emerson out, Newsome is back outside opposite of Denzel Ward. Being in the final year of his rookie deal, Newsome is looking to have a big season in hopes that will equal a big payday. He delivered in Week 1. Newsome was on coverage 10 of Ja’Marr Chase’s routes and did not allow a single reception, however he did have one DPI. The Browns secondary needs to have this version of Greg Newsome this year because of the lack of depth in the secondary.
Finally, the defensive line. At the beginning of the game, it looked like it was going to be a long day. The Bengals marched right down the field with Chase Brown picking up 29 yards on that drive. He finished the game with 43 yards. After a slow start, the defensive line held their own and dominated in the second half. This was capped by back-to-back-to-back sacks from Myles Garrett (2) and Isaiah McGuire (1). This version of the defensive line has to be the identity of the defense.
Offense Will Be a Slow Build
Look, no one is expecting the Cleveland Browns offense to be one of the most explosive ones in the entire National Football League. But that doesn’t mean there are not a lack of playmakers on this offense. Two rookies dominated the touches on offense and that is a trend that is going to continue and it has to in order to have success.
Running back Dylan Sampson had 20 touches for 93 yards on Sunday compared to Jerome Ford’s 7 touches for 5 yards. Sampson showed his versatility as a running but most importantly as a pass catcher bring in 8 catches for 64 yards. While Ford is in the last year of his contract, it seems to be pretty evident early on that the rookie running backs will dominate the share of touches out of the backfield. And now that Quinshon Judkins has signed, Judkins and Sampson could be quite the dual threat in the backfield.
Speaking of versatility, rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. lined up all over the place on offense. The point can be made that Fannin is WR3 currently with how they are able to utilize him. The trend for rookie tight ends is that they take some time to develop and that they do not make an impact right away barring few exceptions, see Brock Bowers in 2024. Whether it was lining up outside, at tight end or even in the backfield taking a direct snap on a running play, opposing defenses will need to pay attention to him wherever he goes.
If this Browns offense is going to have success and move the football, the offensive line is going to have to hold their own. The interior of the offensive line played well, but the tackle situation is questionable at best. Dawand Jones struggled in his first game at left tackle and Jack Conklin left the game with an eye injury forcing Cornelius Lucas into the right tackle spot. When those mock drafts come out, rest assured that there will be a left tackle picked a lot with the Browns having two first rounders in 2026.