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

Browns cornerback Denzel Ward is nursing a hamstring injury ahead of Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Analysis: The Browns have been a capable defensive unit through the first nine weeks and, given the team's youth, will seemingly only get better as the season progresses. Injuries and poor timing could be a reason to look in a different direction this week, however, as the Browns are uncertain on the availabilities of Joe Schobert (hamstring), Christian Kirksey (hamstring), Damarious Randall (groin), and E.J. Gaines (concussion). Likewise, Atlanta seems to have figured things out following a 1-4 start.…read more

Browns linebacker Joe Schobert is nursing with a hamstring injury as Sunday's game against Kansas City inches closer.

Analysis: Schobert was sorely missed during last week's beatdown at Pittsburgh's mercy. Cleveland has been a hit-or-miss defensive group this season partly because of coaching and partly due to inexperience. With Hue Jackson no longer calling the shots, there seems to be a level of uncertainty arising out of Cleveland that is usually not a good sign for fantasy owners. Should the Browns have drawn the worst-ranked offense in the league it would still be a bit concerning. With Kansas City coming to town,…read more

Browns linebacker Joe Schobert is dealing with a hamstring injury ahead of Sunday's divisional tilt with the Steelers.

Analysis: The Browns enter Week 8 still atop the league lead with 20 takeaways. Cleveland has kept close in most games this season because of its defensive talent, but the Browns are still figuring out how to win. The Browns also lead the NFL with 31.0 sacks through the first seven contests. Yet, Hugh Jackson's squad ranks 28th in total defense (413.6 YPG). Despite the takeaways and sacks, the Browns have proved susceptible to giving up the big play. With the Steelers next up, perhaps Antonio Brown will…read more

The Browns rank 20th in points allowed (25.2 per game) entering their Week 7 game against the Buccaneers.

Analysis: The Chargers torched the Browns for 38 points and 449 yards last Sunday, including 246 yards on the ground in a game that was essentially over shortly after halftime. Cleveland has now allowed more than 21 points twice this season, the other occurring Week 4 when Oakland's score 45 thanks to numerous short-field opportunities. The Browns lead the NFL with 16 takeaways and are middle of the pack with 15 sacks, but are expected to be without middle linebacker Joe Schobert, who is currently…read more

The Browns rank 27th in total defense (398.0 yards per game) entering their Week 6 matchup with the Chargers.

Analysis: Cleveland's defensive output has been somewhat misleading through five contests. Despite ranking 27th in total defense, the Browns have been the 12th-best scoring defense (22.6 points per game). While the Browns have been vulnerable to big plays this season, they've done a strong job of keeping opponents out of the end zone. The Browns went nearly five quarters last week without letting the Ravens into the end zone, despite Baltimore owning the 11th-best scoring offense (26.4 points per game).…read more

The Browns rank 25th in the NFL in total defense (395.0 yards per game).

Analysis: The Browns have played tightly-contested games in each of their four contests but have only secured a lone win over the Jets in Week 3. Perhaps their inability to close out games is reflective of their youth on both sides of the ball. Either way, there is optimism in Cleveland stemming from this newfound competitiveness. The defense will look to rebound against the 3-1 Ravens on Sunday after turning in its worst showing of the season in Week 4, when a struggling Oakland squad put up 45 points…read more

Browns defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Analysis: Ogbah was forced to sit out of Week 3's win over the Jets but Chad Thomas and Anthony Zettel proved to be solid replacements in the intermediate. Whether Ogbah is able to suit up for Sunday's contest shouldn't affect the defensive outlook too much. The Browns defense has emerged as one of the stronger units across the AFC and has the makings of keeping Cleveland in the AFC playoff hunt this season. After keeping the likes of the Steelers, Saints and Jets each below 21 points, it's safe to say…read more

Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (hamstring) is deemed questionable for Thursday's game against the Jets.

Analysis: Ward has already showcased his versatility within the confines of this Browns defense. The 2018 first-round pick has the makings of an All-Pro defender should he stay healthy. If he can't suit up, it could spell bad news for the Browns come Thursday. While the Jets offense hasn't exactly demonstrated a juggernaut identity as of yet, rookie quarterback Sam Darnold looks beyond his years as a signal-caller. The Browns have conceded 20-plus points in each of their first two games and New York…read more

Browns linebacker Christian Kirksey (shoulder) is deemed questionable ahead of Sunday's showdown with the Saints.

Analysis: The days of Cleveland's laughingstock era seem to be nearing an end. Sure the offense deserves a fair portion of praise for what seems to be like a turnaround on the horizon, but Hue Jackson's defense has viable talent across the board. From pass rushers like Myles Garrett to tackling machines like Joe Schobert to potential shutdown corners like Denzel Ward, this Cleveland defense exudes youthful optimism. There's a long way to go and the puzzle pieces still need proper assortment, but…read more

Cornerback Jamar Taylor continues to battle his foot injury ahead of Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Analysis: The Browns defense is worth avoiding most weeks and that is once again the case as they face RB Le'Veon Bell and the Steelers to close out the season. Cleveland actually features a good run defense that ranks seventh in the NFL (96.1 yards per game) and Pittsburgh will be without All-Pro WR Antonio Brown, but Bell remains one of the most versatile running backs in the NFL and should have expansive opportunities Sunday. The Browns are well worth avoiding for Week 17 as the Steelers still feature…read more

Cornerbacks Jamar Taylor (foot) and Briean Boddy-Calhoun (knee) are both listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears.

Analysis: The Browns defense is worth avoiding most weeks simply due to the sheer volume of turnovers committed by the offense, but facing the Bears this week puts them on the fantasy radar. The Chicago offense ranks 28th in points per game (16.7), 30th in yards per game (295.7) and 25th in giveaways (22) this season, and while rookie Mitchell Trubisky has flashed at times, he's had his fair share of rookie moments. Unfortunately the Browns defense has forced a league-worst 11 turnovers, but do have a…read more

Starting cornerback Jamar Taylor is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens with a foot injury.

Analysis: Reserve CB Breiann Boddy-Calhoun (knee) is listed as doubtful, so the Browns could be doing some shuffling in the secondary come Sunday. Cleveland doesn't have great defensive numbers this season on the surface, as they rank 30th in points allowed (25.8 per game) and tied for 31st with only 11 takeaways, but the fact that they only allow 328.3 yards per game illustrates the difficulty in having the most turnover-prone offense the NFL. The Ravens offense started the season in an unimpressive…read more

Browns safety Jabrill Peppers is dealing with a knee injury ahead of Sunday's game against Cleveland.

Analysis: Peppers has yet to showcase any of his defensive prowess that highlighted his days at Michigan. While there's not disputing that injuries have affected his rookie campaign, it would be a nice cap to the season if a healthy Peppers could find his way into the thick of things with a quarter of the football season left. Anyhow, Sunday's draw against Green Bay yields a different light with Aaron Rodgers (collarbone) out of the mix. It's not likely the Browns the will leave Sunday victorious, but if…read more

The Browns rank 30th in the NFL in scoring defense (26.3 PPG).

Analysis: Prior to this month's drop off, the Browns defense was actually serviceable for deep leagues. This is no longer the case, however, following a barrage of defensive relapses. Sunday's opponent, the Chargers, are coincidentally hitting their stride. Running back Melvin Gordon is having another post-season award caliber season and don't blink now, but the Chargers are emerging as a favorite to win the weak AFC West division. With a division crown set in their sights, expect the Chargers to bully…read more

Safety Jabrill Peppers (ankle) will not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Analysis: The Browns put together a strong defensive performance against the Jaguars in Week 11, which Jacksonville's three offensive scoring drives all being less than 50 yards. Cleveland's defense has had a few similar performances this season, but they have allowed more than 30 points five times. This week they face a Bengals offense that has scored more than 20 points only once in their past six games and is tied for fourth-worst in the league with 17 giveaways. This matchup has the potential for a…read more

Linebacker Jaime Collins was placed on injured reserve this week with a torn MCL and is out for the season.

Analysis: Collins represents a significant loss in the middle of the Browns defense, but they are otherwise relatively healthy. The Jaguars may be looking at a significant loss themselves with RB Leonard Fournette (ankle) not practicing Friday, which would provide a significant boost to the Browns if he were to be unable to play. Cleveland allows an average of 26.7 points per game but ranks in the upper half of the NFL with 317 yards allowed per game, as an anemic and turnover prone offense often puts…read more