Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Good defense. Really bad offense. Horrible season.
Meet the 2025 Cleveland Browns.
Two years ago, the Browns won 11 games and made the playoffs. Last season, they plummeted to 3-14.
Unless they win one of their last three games this season, they will have a second-straight 14-loss campaign.
The problems are mostly on offense, as Cleveland is tied for 29th in the league in scoring, averaging a miniscule 16 points a game. They've scored more than 17 points in just four games this year.
They've also had three different starting quarterbacks. They began the season with 40-year-old Joe Flacco in charge, then turned to rookie Dillon Gabriel after four games, who started six games and was sidelined by a concussion.
Fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders was then handed the reigns.
With Sanders running the offense, there has been a slight improvement in production. They did score 24 points against the Las Vegas Raiders and 29 against the Tennessee Titans.
But when they played real teams - San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears - the Browns managed a total of 11 points.
Sanders, son of Hall-of-Famer Deion Sanders, has completed 56% of his passes this season and is averaging 189 yards, while throwing five touchdown passes to go with six interceptions. He's also been sacked 13 times.
One of the Browns' issues has been the lack of continuity along the offensive line. They've had nine different starting combinations in 14 games.
Center Ethan Pocic was lost to a season-ending injury, while right guard and former Bills draft pick Wyatt Teller missed their last game, as did right tackle Jack Conklin.
Cleveland is ranked in the bottom-five in most of the league's offensive categories. They are 30th in total yards, 29th in rushing yards, 30th in passing yards, 30th in first downs and 30th in third-down efficiency.
Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins leads the Browns and all NFL rookie backs in rushing with 805 yards, to go along with seven touchdowns. He's basically been their ground game.
The next best rush yards total is about 700 yards behind Judkins.
The Browns have rushed for fewer than 100 yards in eight of their 14 games.
The best threat in the passing game has been rookie tight end Harold Fannin. A third-round draft pick, Fannin leads in catches (66), receiving yards (667) and touchdowns (4).
You might have expected to see Jerry Jeudy leading the way, but he's been a massive disappointment this year. Jeudy has 40 catches for 519 yards, but has had a big problem with drops, which is reflected in part by his 44% catch rate.
The defense has been a better story this season.
They are keyed by the front-four, starting with Myles Garrett at one end and Alex Wright at the other. The Browns lost one of their starting tackles, Maliek Collins, to injury, but rookie Mason Graham has been solid at the other tackle spot.
Sunday could be a big day for Garrett. He needs 1.5 sacks to break the NFL record for most sacks in a single-season. Garrett has 21.5 sacks, which is one behind Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt for the record.
A six-time All-Pro, Garrett also has 35 quarterback hits, 32 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles this season.
The Bills need to make sure Garrett doesn't singlehandedly blow up their offense, something he is capable of doing.
Middle linebacker Carson Schwesinger has had a terrific rookie season for the Browns. He leads the team in tackles, and is the only player with more than 100 tackles on the season.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell leads the team with 10 passes defended, but cornerbacks have combined for just two interceptions. The defense does have a couple of pick-sixes, though.
The Browns are tied for 19th in scoring defense, despite the fact they have given up the third-fewest total yards per-game. The ineffective offense has led to the defense facing many short fields for opponent possessions.
Cleveland has given up the fewest passing yards per-game, and are 14th in rushing yards. They lead the league in sacks per-pass play - thanks to Garrett - have given up the second-fewest first downs per-game, and are tied for 11th in third-down efficiency.
There is a familiar face on Cleveland's special teams, as former Bills punter Corey Bojorquez handles those duties. He's had two punts blocked this season.
Placekicker Andre Smzyt is 20-for-21 on extra points this season, and 18-of-21 in field goal attempts. He is 4-for-5 this season on kicks from 50-plus yards.
Kick returns could be a big edge for the Bills. Ray Davis averaged 41 yards on four returns in New England against the Patriots last Sunday. The Bills are ranked second in the NFL in kick return average, and the Browns are 30th in kick coverage.
Browns notes:
- Their three wins came against the Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas.
- The Browns are 1-2 against the AFC East, with losses to the Patriots and New York Jets.
- Cleveland has lost its last three games, and six of the last seven.
- The Browns are 1-5 against teams that currently have a winning record. In those five games, they have given up an average of 29 points.
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