The Browns allowed 38 points and 445 total yards in Week 15's loss to the Cardinals.

Analysis: This was the Browns' worst performance since Week 1, as Kyler Murray avoided a sack for the first time this year and threw just one pick. There was major dysfunction, and fantasy owners paid for it. Drop them out of spite if your league doesn't play Week 17, as this isn't a viable matchup to deploy them against. The Ravens lead the league with 33.7 PPG and 409.7 total YPG, and Lamar Jackson looks simply unstoppable. However, if your league plays Week 17, they're a worthy stash against for a…read more

The Browns allowed 19 points and 451 total yards to the Bengals in Week 14's win.

Analysis: The Browns practiced "bend but don't break", as they forced the Bengals to kick four field goals in the contest while allowing just one touchdown. They've done this all year, as they've allowed opponents to score on 54.8 percent of red-zone trips -- the 12th-best rate in the league. They'll look to exploit the Cardinals in that arena, as the Kyler Murray-led offense has converted on just 38.1 percent of its trips -- third-lowest in the league. This should give the Browns a solid foundation, and…read more

The Browns allowed 20 points and 323 total yards in Week 13's loss to the Steelers.

Analysis: The Browns' pass rush has been alright without Myles Garrett (suspension), recording five sacks over the last two games. The Bengals finally achieved their first win of the year, but they've yet to surpass 23 points in a game. That provides a solid floor, and facing off against the Bengals offers an excellent ceiling. Andy Dalton has been sacked on 7.4 percent of his dropbacks (13th) while the team has given up 22 turnovers -- the sixth-most in the league. Feel comfortable firing this unit up…read more

The Browns allowed 24 points and 284 total yards to the Dolphins in Week 12's win.

Analysis: A matchup against the Dolphins isn't a valid measuring stick for the Browns' first game without Myles Garrett (suspension), and the Steelers will be a much tougher task. They shut them down to the tune of seven points and four turnovers at home two weeks ago, but now they'll head to Heinz Field. The Steelers will swap out Mason Rudolph for Devlin Hodges under center. While neither are a top-notch option, Hodges provided a spark last week against the Bengals, posting 10.7 YPA and a score. The…read more

DE Myles Garrett (suspension) and SS Morgan Burnett are out for the rest of the season, while DE Larry Ogunjobi (suspension) won't play in Week 12's game against the Dolphins.

Analysis: The Browns will be without two of their starting defensive linemen, and they could be missing another if Olivier Vernon (knee) is unable to play. Most of their wounds are self-inflicted, but it still affects the potential of their defense. Garrett and Ogunjobi combined for 15 of the team's 30 sacks this season, while Burnett averaged 5.1 tackles per game with a key role in pass coverage. In Week 11, the Dolphins managed 280 passing yards against the Bills -- who are ranked third in pass defense…read more

The Browns allowed 16 points and didn't force a turnover against the Bills in Week 10's win.

Analysis: The Browns held the Bills off the scoreboard well, but it wasn't an appealing fantasy day by any measure with just one sack on Josh Allen. Their inability to get to Allen was troubling, but the Browns still rank 10th with 26 sacks in nine games. Olivier Vernon (knee) likely won't suit up in this contest, but the Browns' secondary is still fully healthy. They should be able to take advantage of QB Mason Rudolph, who had one of his fumbles returned for a score in Week 10, but he's avoided sacks…read more

FS Damarious Randall (hamstring) could sit out Week 10's game against the Bills.

Analysis: Randall has missed the last two games, and S Jermaine Whitehead has filled the role. Whitehead has since been cut, so the Browns will turn to Juston Burris if Eric Murray (knee) isn't healthy. Burris has minimal experience, but to be fair, so did Whitehead and he was an adequate placeholder, albeit not on the level of Randall. The Bills' offense continues to be a gem for capable defenses to face, as QB Josh Allen has been sacked at least twice in five straight games while surpassing 24 points…read more

FS Damarious Randall (hamstring) is trending toward another absence Week 9 against the Broncos.

Analysis: The Browns manage without Randall in the lineup with placeholders Eric Murray and Jermaine Whitehead, and they'll be alright without him in this contest as Brandon Allen plays in the first regular-season game of his career. It's truly unknown what Allen has in store, but he doesn't have many weapons outside of Courtland Sutton and the pass-catchers in the backfield. The Browns are tied for eighth in the league with 23 sacks over seven games, so they'll put plenty of pressure on the…read more

The Browns rank ninth in the league with 19 sacks over six games.

Analysis: The Browns would likely be further up in the ranking if it wasn't for their Week 7 bye, but a matchup against the Patriots could stunt their growth, as QB Tom Brady has been dropped just 10 times this year behind a stout offensive line. It's unsettled whether CBs Denzel Ward (hamstring) and Greedy Williams (hamstring) will be ready to go, and SS Damarious Randall (leg) is trending toward an absence. That's just salt on the wound, however, because the Patriots have scored at least 30 points in…read more

Cornerbacks Denzel Ward (hamstring) and Greedy Williams (hamstring) both are uncertain for Week 6's game versus the Seahawks.

Analysis: We have to believe Ward and Williams are progressing to some degree, but they still haven't been on the practice field in three weeks. It'll be tough for them to get ready in time, and even if they do, the Seahawks have showed life in the pass and run games. QB Russell Wilson has completed 73.1 percent of his passes this year with 9.0 YPA, third in the league. The Browns showed vulnerability against the run by allowing 275 rushing yards to the 49ers in Week 5, and the Seahawks have the ground…read more

The Browns have forced three turnovers in back-to-back games.

Analysis: It's quite amazing that the Browns have been taking away the ball at this rate without their top-two cornerbacks -- Denzel Ward (hamstring) and Greedy Williams (hamstring). A major factor in their success is how suffocating their pass rush is, as it's accumulated 14 sacks (six from Myles Garrett) through four games. The 49ers' offensive front has done a good job of keeping QB Jimmy Garoppolo upright, as he's been sacked just twice this year, although it hasn't faced a pass rush this fierce yet.…read more

CB Denzel Ward (hamstring) is uncertain for Week 4 versus the Ravens while CB Greedy Williams (hamstring) is trending up.

Analysis: The Browns actually played well without Ward and Williams in Week 3 against the Rams, but it would definitely help to have them back. The Ravens have skilled pass-catchers in wideouts Marquise Brown and Willie Snead, but TE Mark Andrews is shaping up to be the talk of the town (beside QB Lamar Jackson). Jackson is a uniquely versatile quarterback, and the Browns' defensive game plan will revolve around him. The second-year signal caller already has eight total touchdowns, and he has at least…read more

Safeties Morgan Burnett (quadriceps) and Damarious Randall (concussion) may not play in Week 3's game versus the Rams.

Analysis: If neither safeties are able to go, the Browns' secondary, which has performed well thus far against lesser opponents -- could struggle immensely against the Rams. Regardless, the Rams look relatively matchup-proof anyway after piling up 57 combined points against the Panthers and Saints. WR Cooper Kupp looking as healthy as ever combined with wideouts Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods makes them a dynamic bunch again, and even RB Todd Gurley looks explosive behind the Rams' strong offensive…read more

The Browns allowed 43 points to the Titans in Week 1.

Analysis: It was an embarrassing outing for the Browns, as they allowed QB Marcus Mariota to pick them apart for 285 yards, two touchdowns and no scores, while allowing RB Derrick Henry post 4.4 YPC and beat them in both facets of the game. The Browns should make adjustments this week and be ready for the Jets, who scored just 16 points on the Bills in the season opener while QB Sam Darnold, who was sacked four times, looked hesitant to throw the deep ball. However, RB Le'Veon Bell looks like his old…read more

The Browns defense is expected to be fully healthy for Week 1's game versus the Titans.

Analysis: The Browns forced the second-most turnovers (31) last season, but they struggled to keep points off the board. They are back this year with a reinforced secondary by adding veteran SS Morgan Burnett and rookie CB Greedy Williams, and their defensive line now features DT Sheldon Richardson and DE Olivier Vernon. This is shaping up to be a battle of the trenches, since Tennessee's passing attack was non-threatening last season and didn't add any true weapons for Marcus Mariota in the offseason.…read more

CB Denzel Ward has an undisclosed injury but is expected to play in Friday's preseason game versus the Buccaneers.

Analysis: Cleveland's defense had quite a makeover this offseason, adding DE Olivier Vernon, DL Sheldon Richardson and S Morgan Burnett, while moving on from S Jabrill Peppers, LB Jamie Collins and DE Emmanuel Ogbah. New DC Steve Wilks will attempt to turn those changes into a more consistent defense, after the Browns ranked 30th in total defense (393 YPG), 21st in scoring (24.5 PPG) and second with 31 takeaways last season.

The Browns enter the season finale against the Ravens with the 29th-ranked total defense (388.3 YPG).

Analysis: Cleveland's young defense has been inconsistent throughout 2018, but they have shown play-making ability with 30 takeaways (second in the NFL) and are allowing an average of 18 points over the last three contests. The Ravens have found their groove with rookie QB Lamar Jackson leading the way, averaging 207.3 rushing yards over their last six games. The Browns are in the bottom half of the league in run defense (124.5 YPG, 4.5 YPC), which could be troubling come Sunday. Jackson has fumbled…read more

The Browns enter their Week 16 game against the Bengals ranked 29th in total defense (401.1 YPG).

Analysis: The Browns' strength this season has been their play-making ability, as they are second in the league with 30 takeaways. They'll now draw a juicy matchup with a Bengals offense that's without starting quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) and wide receiver A.J. Green (foot). Cleveland has allowed 20 points or less in four of the last five games, but only rank 22nd in scoring defense (24.9 PPG). The Browns have been inconsistency defensively throughout the season, but given their current stretch of…read more

The Browns conceded 393 total yards of offense during Sunday's 26-20 win over the Panthers.

Analysis: Carolina moved the ball rather easily against Cleveland but had difficulty capitalizing in the red zone. Regardless of how they did it, the win marks the third time in the last four tries in which the Browns kept their opponent below 21 points. This defense have been consistently streaky over the course of the season. Four games on four games off has been the unappetizing formula through 14 weeks. It's tough to predict which defense will show up on any given week. Fortunately, Denver's offense…read more

The Browns gave up 384 yards and failed to record a turnover during last week's 29-13 loss to the Texans.

Analysis: Sunday marked the first time all season in which Cleveland failed to force a turnover. Second in the league in takeaways, most of the Browns' success in 2018 has come courtesy of forcing turnovers. Perhaps the Browns are destined to start up a new turnover streak with Carolina up next. The Panthers finished last week's game with four giveaways and have handed the ball to the opposition in each of their last four contests. The Browns likely won't finish Week 14 atop too many defensive…read more

Cleveland currently ranks second in the NFL with 27 takeaways.

Analysis: A newfound ball-hawking secondary along with a consistent pass rush has been the recipe for wreaking havoc over opposing offenses this year. Last year's first-round pick, Myles Garrett, stands four sacks shy of the team record with five games remaining. A string of wins over Atlanta and Cincinnati have generated palpable buzz across Ohio about the prospects of this current unit. Perhaps the best test waits in the short distance with Houston up next. If the Browns can stymie the red-hot Texans,…read more

The Browns enter their Week 12 matchup with the Bengals ranked second-worst in the league in total defense (419.7 YPG).

Analysis: It hasn't felt as though the Browns defense has fared as badly as their total defense ranks, but they are also in the bottom-third of the NFL in points allowed with 26.3. The unit's saving grace is their playmaking ability as they have forced 25 turnovers good for second in the league. Meanwhile, the Bengals have failed to exceed 300 yards of offense in their last two games as they have felt the absence of top WR A.J. Green (toe). Cincinnati takes good care of the ball with 11 giveaways and are…read more