The hope for the Cleveland Browns season seems to rest on the backs of the offensive line, running back group and defense. A throwback to the old era of football where ‘defense wins championships.’ While ESPN’s Football Power Index model gives the Browns a good chance to make the playoffs, many fans and analysts disagree.
The primary concern is related to Cleveland’s passing attack. Passing offense and passing defense has been found to be the two most important aspects of making it to the Super Bowl recently. Defense doesn’t win championships anymore.
In a league that has made rule after rule to help open the game up in that aspect, the Browns will roll with QB Jacoby Brissett, WR Amari Cooper and TE David Njoku to lead the passing attack. For most, that is an uninspiring group.
While defense may not win championships anymore, it does help win regular season games. As pointed out by long-time defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, only one bad defense made the playoffs last year:
While the opposite is also true, only one bad offense made the playoffs last year (Pittsburgh Steelers), it is important to note that defense helps win games.
For Cleveland, a great defense can help push ahead a mediocre offense. Last year, with QB Baker Mayfield very limited due to injuries, the Browns offense finished 18th in total yards. If a healthy Brissett, the addition of Cooper and even more depth at running back can push the offense to average just 20 more yards a game, the offense could finish in the top half of the league.
The defense is where Cleveland needs to be great again. After a rough start to 2021, that side of the ball finished fifth in limiting yards per game but was still middle of the pack in terms of scoring. Some of that had to do with turnovers, missed field goals, failed fourth down conversions and bad punting.
At least until Deshaun Watson returns, the Browns will be defined by the old-school tenants of running the ball and defense. Thankfully, defense still means something in the regular season.