‘Is It Time to Believe in the Browns?’ Analyst Backs Cleveland To Beat the Jets Despite Offensive Concerns

October 9, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

The Cleveland Browns have an opportunity to begin their season 4-1 for only the second time since the organization returned to Cleveland in 1999. They travel to New Jersey to face the New York Jets in Game 5, and expectations are high about the prospects of the tie’s winner this season.

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Despite entering at 1-3, the Jets are reportedly slight favorites over the 3-1 Browns. However, the Browns seemingly have a clear path to victory if they can latch onto the Jets’ key weaknesses for the most part of the game. Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski thinks this might be the right time to believe in the Browns, regardless of their current roster issues.

Brent Sobleski Backs Cleveland Browns to Go 4-1 After Jets Game

Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken takes notes during team OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026.

Sobleski thinks that the Browns’ opportunistic defense and the Jets’ ongoing struggles to finish drives and move the ball could prove decisive in swinging things the visitors’ way.

“Is it time to actually believe in the Browns? It is when they’re facing the Jets. With or without Mason Graham in the lineup, the Browns field a swarming and opportunistic defense. Conversely, the Jets have struggled to finish drives and failed to move the ball last weekend against the Chicago Bears. Deshaun Watson and co. can give the Browns enough offensively to not only cover the spread but win outright.”

Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report predicts the Browns will beat the Jets, pointing to Cleveland's opportunistic defense and New York's ongoing struggles to move the ball and finish drives.
"Is it time to actually believe in the Browns? It is when they're facing the Jets. With or… pic.twitter.com/uSJjIMc2Aw
— BrownsNation.com (@BrownsNationcom) October 9, 2026

Going by their recent history, the Browns can triumph in Week 5 by stopping the run on early downs and forcing Geno Smith into obvious passing situations. The Jets’ Week 4 game against the Chicago Bears shows why. That game restricted the Jets to only 157 total yards.

Braelon Allen registered 59 of the Jets’ rushing yards in 14 carries. That potentially gives the visitors an idea on how to progress during their Week 5 clash in New York.

Meanwhile, the Browns are no strangers to Smith’s game. Although he has been effective this year with five touchdowns and 902 yards, the Browns were able to apply consistent pressure when he played for the Raiders last season.

The Browns can also benefit from establishing their own rushing attack. The Jets have given up 494 total rushing yards in 2026, the eighth most in the league. During the Jets’ Week 4 matchup vs. the Bears, the Jets gave up 232 rushing yards.

Elsewhere, Deshaun Watson could maximize by making consistent gains on early downs to give more manageable third downs and help Cleveland sustain drives. Generally, longer possessions could also give a defensive line dealing with injuries more time to rest. These reasons and more support Sobleski’s perspectives on the game.

However, the Jets could also turn things their way if they can better maximize their rushing attack than the visitors. Both teams have a fair chance of winning the day, but the squad with the better rushing attack is more likely to prevail.

‘Is It Time to Believe in the Browns?’ Analyst Backs Cleveland To Beat the Jets Despite Offensive Concerns

Brent Sobleski Backs Cleveland Browns to Go 4-1 After Jets Game

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