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