The Cleveland Browns are now 3-2 on the season as they defeated the top team in the NFL power rankings last week, the San Francisco 49ers.
With last Sunday’s euphoric victory, this 2023 football season has certainly been an emotional roller coaster so far for Browns fans.
do y'all believe now?!?@Juan_Thornhill | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/xmUnzb8FrU
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 15, 2023
But one thing seems apparent, the Browns 2023 Jim Schwartz led defense is amazing, if not historic.
The Cleveland Browns defense has allowed 51 first downs this season (1st in the NFL)
The league average is 110.38 🤯 pic.twitter.com/K4V4SNbpgM
— PFF CLE Browns (@PFF_Browns) October 17, 2023
Over the first five games in 2023, the Browns defense has only given up 1002 yards and opponents are only 15 of 65 on converting third downs against the Browns defense.
Of course, it is too early to say that this defense is going to win a championship, but signs appear to be pointing in that direction.
As the season has been up and down for fans and the team, the Browns will now travel to Indianapolis to take on the 3-3 Colts on Sunday afternoon at 1pm.
The Colts are coming off of a 37-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
After beating the top ranked team in the league and now facing the 22nd ranked team in the ESPN NFL Power Rankings, Stefanski was asked about how the Browns can stay calm, relaxed and focused as they prepare to face the Colts.
Stefanski responded by explaining that the victory that occurred this past Sunday is in the past and that he wants the team to be focused on the things that need to be done in order to prepare effectively for the upcoming game.
“We don’t ride the roller coaster,” said Stefanski. “You don’t take a win with you. You don’t take a loss with you. Win, lose, or draw, we want to be the same team on Wednesday that’s focused on the work, and that’s the mentality we have. That’s the group of people that we have. So this Wednesday practice that I’m about to be late for is the most important practice of our season.”
Stefanski was then asked about the possibility that the defense may have gotten too confident before facing the Ravens a few weeks ago.
Stefanski responded by alluding to the importance of tuning out the outside noise, which he explained is what the staff talks about with the players.
“I tune it out,” said Stefanski. “We talk about what’s important in this profession, (which) is what goes on in this building. Obviously, we’re having success defensively, and we’re having success because we’re playing sound defense. There’s no magic trick to playing good, hard defense. And I think it’s a combination of our guys playing the scheme and just playing with relentless effort that will never change. Those are the type of things that we’re telling our guys.”
Stay tuned to NEOSI for more Browns coverage leading up to Sunday’s game.
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