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The defense is finally getting healthy.CB Joe Haden served his suspension for Adderal and then had an injury but is fairly healthy right now. DT Phil Taylor tore his pec in the off-season and he finally is back healthy. DT Ahtyba Rubin got injured right about the time that Rubin was coming back but he is back. The bonus is the Browns drafted two young D-Linemen and they got valuable PT while both Rubin and Taylor were out so now the Browns have depth and a heavy rotation on the defensive line while the seondary is getting back to full-strength.Look at the impact that CB Joe Haden has had on the defense:In the five games that Haden missed due to suspension (four) and injury (one) the defense never held the opposition to under 200 passing yards but in the six games he's been in the lineup the defense has four games where they held the opposition under 200 passing yards. That is significant.Then take a look at the run defense when either DT Phil Taylor or DT Ahtyba Rubin have been out of the lineup with injuries:Of the 9 games where either Taylor or Rubin were OUT with injuries the Browns only held two of those nine teams under 100 rushing yards but in the past two games where both were healthy they surrendered 63 and 49 yards on the ground. That is significant.Also over the past two games the defense has wrung up 7 sacks against Dallas and then last Sunday against the Steelers they came up with a remarkable 8 turnovers, not just significant but amazing defensive stats.Ofcourse both the Dallas and Pittsburgh offensive lines are hurting and were overmatched as the Browns defensive line is legitimately strong and deep and now with that rotation those guys will be fresh all game and those young rookie backups are making plays so their isn't a big drop-off when they are in their.The defense is totally different from the one that started the season with rookie LBers and rookies on the D-line and a suspension hanging over Haden's head. I don't think you can go on the last two games since those offensive lines were not at full-strength and may be two of the worst in the NFL right now. Sunday the Raiders will provide more of a test and Carson Palmer isn't Charlie Batch so it will be interesting to see what will happen.I would imagine the Raiders will move the ball thru the air but Carson will turn it over at least once but that is his MO. I'm not sure what to expect of their run game since McFadden is a guy who burns defenses on the edge and that is not the strength of the Browns run-D.
While true, and I'd caution against discounting the Raiders' offense, the OP is suggesting he'd start them the following week vs KC.To that I say
That may be historically true, but Carson Palmer is making some really bad decisions and turning the ball over with alarming frequency. I looked ahead and saw this upcoming two game stretch, and have Cleveland active in some really big leagues for me this weekend. It was a huge bonus for me last weekend with those 8 to's.
This is the correct move, it's why I posted what I did. If you have an open roster spot or don't need a win this week then go ahead and get the Browns D. If you need a win this week I recommend looking elsewhere.While true, and I'd caution against discounting the Raiders' offense, the OP is suggesting he'd start them the following week vs KC.To that I say
I tend to agree, and it's my gut that is saying so, but when you look more closely at some of those road games it paints a different picture. For one, they weren't as healthy as they are now. I'm not going to look up what games the linemen missed exactly, but I know Haden was out for 4 of the 5 road games. And their schedule certainly didn't help...another thing that makes me lean back towards starting them. This time they get Oakland. And Palmer. Easily the worst team they've faced on the road. At their healthiest? With what looks to be foul weather? LET'S EAT.
FWIW, Dallas is the only game in which both Taylor and Rubin played. No Taylor for the first four and both were essentially out vs. Indy. Rubin ineffectively played the first two series (resulting in TD's) then got pulled and missed the next 2 weeks + the bye. Rubin got hurt during the Giants game, but I don't remember exactly when, want to say 3rd quarter though.
Browns D did not disappoint. Starting them vs. a Griffin-less Redskins team sounds tempting, but I'll probably go back to Houston vs. Indy. The thing about the Redskins -- if Griffin doesn't play, I see them really leaning heavily on Alfred Morris, running clock and asking Cousins to make relatively safe throws. The skins may not score a ton of points, but for some reason I don't see them turning the ball over a whole lot vs. Cleveland either.Meanwhile, I think that Luck will have to throw, throw, throw vs. Houston who is looking to bounce back after getting embarrassed by the Patriots. Particularly if the Texans get up early, I can easily see Luck throwing multiple picks and getting sacked a few times to boot.I think whether you stay with Cleveland may depend on your scoring rules....
Washington's going to need to score 20 to win, without RG3 that will be a chore. They won't be able to just run-run-run, this isn't the Browns defense of the first half. Taylor and Rubin are healthy, Haden's in, and Sheldon Brown's playing the best ball since he got to Cleveland.Start Cleveland if RG3 is out, only team I can think of off the top of my head that would be better is Detroit.
...and it's been even better with healthy Rubin and Taylor...except for that Charles play last week. Perfect storm. Taylor missed his gap and due to the defensive allignment put Ward in a situation he usually fails in, tackle a speedster in the open field. Don't expect a repeat of that.
