Brows' 5-2 Start Tests Division Rivals

The Cleveland Browns are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for first place in the AFC North after starting the season 5-2 under first-year head coach Todd Monken. The team has secured victories on five fourth-quarter drives, a statistical shift that contrasts sharply with their recent history.

Ideastream Public Media commentator Terry Pluto argues that the current squad is breaking the cycle of failure that defined the franchise in the past two seasons. He noted that when a team finishes 8-26, fans and media focus on every potential point of failure. "When you finally get something good, don't dwell on all the bad things that could happen. Just enjoy it," Pluto said.

Monken, who served as the Browns' offensive coordinator in 2019 and the Baltimore Ravens' coordinator from 2023 to 2025, has altered the team's internal culture. He rejected the common perception that the Browns are permanently inferior. "We ain't taking that. These Browns are different," Pluto recalled Monken saying. The coach’s familiarity with the organization allowed him to address specific weaknesses immediately.

A primary point of contention remains the decision to start Deshaun Watson. Watson’s injury history and legal issues had led many observers to favor Shedeur Sanders. Pluto admitted he preferred Sanders initially but acknowledged that Watson has played his best football since 2023. "I would say the game he played Sunday (against Tennessee) was the best he's looked since 2023," Pluto observed.

Kicker Andre Szmyt has also become a defining factor in these narrow wins. He has converted three game-winning field goals, a reliability that Pluto described as a missing piece in previous years. "So, I think he's the unsung hero of this," Pluto said, noting that past teams often lost close games due to missed kicks.

The roster’s depth is improving, driven by a draft strategy led by general manager Andrew Berry. Berry has utilized additional picks gained from the Watson trade to add talent. Pluto specifically cited rookies KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston as contributors to the offensive output. However, the offensive line remains a project. Monken describes the team as "under construction," though he believes they are making tangible progress.

The Browns face a pivotal test Sunday in Pittsburgh. A victory would grant Cleveland sole possession of the division lead and mark their first season sweep of the Steelers since 1988. Pluto characterized the matchup as "gigantic" for the team's confidence, regardless of the final result.