2 Browns Players Who Could Have Big Performances On Sunday

The Cleveland Browns are entering Week 5 of the NFL season as a surprising first-place team and playoff contender. With a matchup against the struggling New York Jets on tap Sunday, Cleveland can’t afford to take a step backward with a loss.

The Browns have been able to build a three-game winning streak with late fourth-quarter scoring drives, as quarterback Deshaun Watson and the rest of the offense have been able to rally for victories. In addition, the defense has protected those wins with final stops.

So, things do bode well for Cleveland, and two Browns players who could have big performances on Sunday are running back Quinshon Judkins and linebacker Quincy Williams.

Judkins has struggled so far in his return from a serious leg injury he suffered late last season. He has averaged less than 3.2 yards per carry in three of Cleveland’s four games, and he has a long run of just 11 yards in his 59 carries.

But with rain expected during the game at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Cleveland’s rushing attack could become vitally important. The Jets just gave up 232 rushing yards in their Week 4 loss to the Chicago Bears, who possessed the ball for almost 43 minutes.

On defense, Williams has already issued a warning to his former team about what to expect from him. An All-Pro during his five seasons with New York, the linebacker fell out of favor with the current coaching staff, to the point that he was benched last year.

Reunited with Browns defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg, who was his position coach with the Jets, he has proven to be a valuable contributor after signing as a free agent this offseason. Williams is third on the team with 23 combined tackles, but he did not have a solo stop against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4, so he may want to make amends for that while also seeking some revenge.

The last time the Browns won four games in a row, in 2020, they went on to make the playoffs, so Judkins and Williams will be looking to set that course again with big games against the Jets this week.