Coming off an inspiring win, now is probably not the time for a glass-half-empty look at the Cleveland Browns’ season. A 27-24 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night has the Browns at 3-1 for the first time since 2001.
Instead of sitting in first place in the AFC North, fans know that the Browns could just as easily be 0-4 and on their way toward another lost season. The statistics show that Cleveland may be just as lucky as they are good.
The Browns are winning in a way history has never seen, trailing their opponents in several important categories over 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 yet still have a winning record,” OptaSTATS posted.
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 yet still have a winning record.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) October 2, 2026
The Browns have scored eight touchdowns and allowed nine, with eight field goals made compared to 11 against them. Cleveland has been out-rushed 453-375, and out-passed 941-795.
It has five turnovers (three fumbles lost, two interceptions) with four interceptions made. The Browns have committed 43 accepted penalties for a total of 297 yards, compared to 25 by their opponents for 200 yards.
Not mentioned is an 88-68 disadvantage in first downs, converting 32.6 percent on third down while allowing a 37.0 percent rate. Cleveland also has a time of possession of 28:36, with their opponents at 31:23.
After suffering an embarrassing 34-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the season opener, the Browns have three straight victories earned with fourth-quarter scoring drives. Each of those games easily could have gone the other way.
In Week 2, Cleveland defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-19, making a red-zone stand after the Bucs were pushed back by a holding penalty. In Week 3, an interception by the Carolina Panthers was negated by a roughing the passer penalty, and the Browns scored the go-ahead touchdown two plays later in their 21-18 win.
On Thursday, after building a 21-7 lead, the Browns were tied 24-24 in the final moments. While leading 21-16, Deshaun Watson recovered his own fumble after a scramble, giving Andre Szmyt an opportunity to kick a 44-yard field goal that proved to be vital.
Yes, their margin of error has been slim, but the Browns have been able to wind up on the right side of that and have no need to apologize for their record at this point.
NEXT: Todd McShay Gives Major Credit To Andrew Berry
