January 1, Browns Sitting Atop AFC North As Guardians Fade

Wyatt’s Take

• Cleveland’s football team is winning the old-fashioned way, with defense and grit.
• Coach Todd Monken says his squad is built for the kind of tough, low-scoring battles that used to break this city’s heart.
• Fans who waited years for a reason to believe are finally getting one in October.

Cleveland fans know better than to get ahead of themselves. Six games into the season, there is still plenty of football left to play. But after years of frustration, being at the top of the division in October gives the city something to get behind.

The Browns have found ways to win, even when the offense has made things difficult. Sunday’s 13-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens was another example. It was a physical, low-scoring game that came down to execution, and Cleveland came out on top.

Todd Monken is right where he wants to be. 🙌

🎙️ Fanta in 60 on NBC Sports YouTube https://t.co/p18zW1MjrD

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) October 20, 2026

can’t beat a beautiful day in front of the #DawgPound! https://t.co/WmUppc2xUp

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 21, 2026

The defense continues to set the tone, giving the Browns a chance to compete even when points are hard to come by. Head coach Todd Monken knows that is the kind of football his team can play.

“Until we get things squared away offensively, every game is going to be a scratch and claw like this,” Monken said after the game. “And I love that type of game with the guys we have. We’re wired for that. Our guys are wired for that. Now I prefer the other, but we’re more wired for that. And, man, it’s so cool.”

The quote says a lot about this team’s identity. The Browns are not always going to win pretty, and Monken knows the offense still has work to do. But a team that can grind out close games has a chance to stay competitive while it figures things out.

That will matter as the schedule gets tougher and the pressure to hold onto first place builds. Next up is Tennessee. The Browns travel to Nissan Stadium on Sunday to take on the Titans.

Playing on the road brings its own challenges, even against a team with a 1-5 record like Tennessee, and Cleveland cannot afford to let a strong start turn into a missed opportunity. The defense has been a major reason for the Browns’ success. With 19 sacks, ranking second in the NFL, Cleveland has consistently pressured opposing quarterbacks and made life difficult for offenses.

That physical style has helped the team win close games, but the offense will need to do its part if the Browns want to keep climbing. Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson showed both promise and room for improvement against Baltimore, throwing for 164 yards while adding 29 on the ground.

His connection with Jerry Jeudy helped set up Cleveland’s game-winning field goal, but five sacks highlighted the offense’s ongoing struggles. Heading into Sunday’s matchup with Tennessee, the question is whether Watson can build on those late-game moments and deliver more consistent production.

The Baltimore win showed what Cleveland can do in a defensive battle. Sunday’s matchup offers another test. Can the Browns keep applying pressure, make enough plays on offense, and leave Nashville with another win?

Those are the kinds of questions that will help determine whether this 4-2 start becomes something bigger. For now, Cleveland is in a position it has not experienced this late in the season since 2014.

The Browns are leading the AFC North, the defense is making plays, and fans have a reason to believe that this team could be different. The Guardians’ season may be finished, but football has taken over Cleveland. Believeland has something to cheer for again.

Wyatt Matters

Hard work, defense, and sticking together through tough times still matter in Middle America. Cleveland’s football team is showing the rest of the country what those values look like on the field.