In week seven, the Browns completely obliterated the Miami Dolphins 31-6. Then the following week, Cleveland got blown out by another AFC East opponent, the New England Patriots, by a score of 32-13.
One game they won by 25, the next they lost by 19. You’d think that these would be opposite games, right? The Browns must have played great in the first game, but horribly in the second one, right?
Well… not entirely. To be honest, the Browns kind of looked the same in both games. Cleveland followed the script they’ve been following all season long: an elite defense with a poor excuse for an offense.
Let’s start with the Dolphins game in week seven. Let me make this clear. Despite the Browns scoring 31 points, their offense was not good. One of those touchdowns was a pick-6, and most of the other scores were set up by stellar defensive play. Cleveland had three interceptions off of Tua Tagovailoa in the game, and recovered one fumble.
Sure, Quinshon Judkins had himself a day. 84 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. But to put into perspective how much the Browns’ defense really carried them to the win, all you have to do is look at the total yardage. Miami actually outgained Cleveland, 219-206.
The Browns were not impressive offensively, and it was highlighted the next week against a stellar Patriots defense. This Sunday, the Browns were nearly doubled in total yardage, 422-213, and simply could not move the ball. They totaled only 12 first downs and posted a 2/11 third down conversion rate. Dillon Gabriel threw for 156 yards with two touchdowns… and two interceptions.
On top of that, our leading rusher wasn’t even a running back. It was a receiver who took one rush 31 yards on a breakaway play. Judkins had only 19 yards before getting hurt and leaving the game.
Cleveland’s defense did all they could to keep them in this game. Myles Garrett had five sacks. For comparison, he had five sacks up until this game. He literally doubled his season sack total against the Patriots, and the team still lost.
Myles Garrett now has the most sacks before age 30 in NFL history with 108.5
One of one#DawgPound pic.twitter.com/VgjGH0zH1S
— SleeperBrowns (@SleeperBrowns) October 26, 2025
This game was a repeat of what we’ve been seeing all year. The Browns’ defense plays a phenomenal game, but eventually wears down because the offense continuously puts them in horrible positions. The Browns allowed only 9 points in the first half. Three field goals. But they broke in the second half because Cleveland couldn’t do anything offensively. They never gave Garrett and Co. a break.
I’ve seen commentary online about how Garrett should have left the Browns this season like he originally intended to do. It’s sad to read those kinds of things, but I can’t say I disagree. Garrett is an elite level talent. He is a generational player, one of the best the Browns have ever had. And we’ve built a great defense around him.
Unfortunately, we just have a historically bad offense. We have no quarterback. Nobody to lead this team to victory week in, week out. Ironically, the Browns Ohio counterpart in Cincinnati has the opposite problem. This week, the Bengals put up 38 points but still lost to the Jets because of how bad their defense is.
If you combined the Browns defense with the Bengals offense, you might have a Super Bowl contender. But instead, both teams are floundering about, hoping their problems will solve themselves.
Fortunately for Cleveland, this season is far from over. The AFC North is the only division in football without a five-win team. We are only two games behind the first-place Steelers. If we somehow solve our offensive problems, there is a legitimate shot to make the playoffs.
At some point, however, you have to wonder when Kevin Stefanski will opt for the other rookie quarterback, Shedeur Sanders. He’s stated that the job is still Gabriel’s. But each week the offense continues to be a disappointment, and Myles Garrett can only do so much by himself.
The Browns have a bye this coming week. I, for one, hope to see Sanders in week ten.
