The NFL is only four games into the 2026 season, but the Cleveland Browns have to be considered one of the early surprises - and in a good way - among the league’s 32 teams.
Consider that there are currently five winless teams and four teams with just one win - and the Browns are not in either category!
Or how about this one? After their win on Sunday against the Detroit Lions, the Carolina Panthers have been lighting up scoreboards:
Week 1: 37 points
Week 2: 34 points
Week 3: 18 points
Week 4: 32 points
Care to guess which team held the Panthers to just 18 points? We’ll give you a hint: it is the same team that is currently tied for first place in the AFC North Division.
Cleveland has not received too much in the way of national attention for their hot start, which is probably good for a young team that needs to focus more on the next opponent (and not committing penalties) rather than reading the headlines.
But if they can pull off their fourth consecutive win this week, the Browns will head into a Week 6 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, which will certainly capture the attention of the country.
That will be here soon enough; for now, let’s open the day with the latest edition of the Daily Dawg Chow.
Dawgs By Nature
Browns: There is more to playing defense than just sacks (Thomas Moore): Defensive end Jared Verse may not yet have a sack, but he is still impacting the game.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson injury update could impact Browns Week 6 chances (Jared Mueller): History tells us that Jackson will find a way to play. But it is still worth monitoring his injury status.
Browns Shedeur Sanders trade rumors: Logical, but unlikely based on Monday report (Jared Mueller): Everyone has a price. If someone calls with an offer, Andrew Berry is not hanging up the phone.
NFL draft order after Week 4: Browns, Rams wins keep picks low (Jared Mueller): Still a lot of football to be played before the draft order is set.
Browns schedule: Road to 6-2, 7-1 is possible (Abby Mueller): One play, one series, one quarter, one game at a time …
Browns vs. Jets odds: Opening lines for Week 5 matchup (Chris Pokorny): Does Las Vegas know something here?
The Feed
Maybe a Browns rumor… Rickey used to be a contact of mine, not confident this is him
We don’t want to live in an NFL world where you can’t believe random trade rumors on social media. Talk about it in this Feed post.
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Cleveland Browns
Jerry Jeudy finds perspective in tough times through his daughters (Beacon Journal): It’s been a rough start for the veteran wide receiver. But he was there when the Browns needed him against Pittsburgh.
The Browns’ defensive line keeps getting tested. It keeps answering (cleveland.com): When it comes to Cleveland’s defensive line, it is FOFO for opposing offenses.
The Browns are 3-1, but can their defense keep surging without Mason Graham? (The Athletic): Cleveland will find out this week how much they might having Mason Graham on the field.
Todd Monken pushes right buttons as Browns go from disastrous opener to 3-1 (Browns Zone): Cleveland’s first-time head coach has kept a steady hand through the first four games.
NFL
Why a Tyreek Hill-Chiefs reunion makes so much sense (ESPN): Is Kansas City getting the band back together?
NFL suspends 2 officials for conduct toward Cardinals’ Trey McBride, Vikings’ Eric Wilson (The Athletic): Sunday was not a good look from the league’s officials.
The Jets, the Rabbit-Duck Illusion, and Why Fan Perceptions Are Shifting Again (Gang Green Nation): Things are going … differently … for Gotham’s AFC team.
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