After an encouraging win, it’s probably not the time to look at the Cleveland Browns’ season as half-full. Thursday night’s 27-24 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers moved the Browns to 3-1 for the first time since 2001.
Instead of sitting in first place in the AFC North, fans know the Browns could easily be 0-4 and headed for another losing season. The stats show that Cleveland can be as lucky as it is good.
The Browns are winning like no other in history, outscoring their opponents in several important categories through the first four games.
“The Browns are the only team in NFL history to have fewer TDs, fewer made FGs, fewer rushing yards, fewer net passing yards, more turnovers, more penalties than their opponents through 4 games of a season and still have a winning record,” OptaSTATS said.
The Browns are the only team in NFL history:
less TD
less developed FG
less running pitches
fewer net passing yards
more turnover
more penalties…better than their 4 game opponents in a season and still have a winning record.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) October 2, 2026
The Browns scored eight touchdowns and allowed nine, compared to 11 field goals against them. Cleveland outgained 453-375, 941-795.
Has five turnovers (three fumbles, two interceptions) with four interceptions. The Browns committed 43 receiving penalties for a total of 297 yards compared to 25 for 200 yards by their opponents.
It’s an 88-68 disadvantage on missed first downs, 32.6 percent on third downs and a 37.0 percent percentage allowed. Cleveland has the ball 28:36, and their opponents have the ball 31:23.
After an embarrassing 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the season opener, the Browns have won three straight with a fourth quarter touchdown. Each of these games could have easily gone the other way.
In Week 2, Cleveland defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-19, with a red-zone stop after the Bucs were held to a penalty. In Week 3, a Carolina Panthers interception was negated by a roughing the passer penalty, and the Browns scored a touchdown after two plays in their 21-18 win.
After building a 21-7 lead on Thursday, the Browns were tied 24-24 in the closing moments. Leading 21-16, Deshaun Watson recovered from a fumble to allow Andre Szmyt to kick a vital 44-yard field goal.
Yes, they had little margin for error, but the Browns managed to settle on the right side of that, and at this point, there’s no need to apologize for their record.
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