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5 Cleveland Browns poised to breakout across the second half of the season

By Chad Porto

Oct 9, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) motions to fans before the game between the Browns and the Los Angeles Chargers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) motions to fans before the game between the Browns and the Los Angeles Chargers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 21: Greg Newsome II #20 of the Cleveland Browns reacts during a game against the Denver Broncos at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 21, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 21: Greg Newsome II #20 of the Cleveland Browns reacts during a game against the Denver Broncos at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 21, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

Greg Newsome

Greg Newsome has been very uneven all year. Three of his first four games saw him play very subpar football, at least according to PFF. In weeks 1, 2, and 4, he averaged a PFF grade of 56.53. Not great. Yet he showed flashes of his former self, putting up solid outings in Weeks 3 and 5. His performance evened out even more against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7, and again with the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8.

While the Bengals were without Ja’Marr Chase, the Browns struggled against Joe Flacco and the New York Jets, clearly, this wasn’t about the talent across from them but about the mentality one needs to cover guys. Newsome was clearly shaken for some reason. Has Newsome been banged up this year? Some thin so, but we’ll never truly know.

What we do know is that Newsome is playing well in back-to-back games, against two very dangerous quarterbacks. Will this be the week that Newsome extends his positive performance streak to three?

It seems like if any defensive back is about to break out, it’d be Newsome. He has started to return to form, and while that may not all be due to him, defense and offense run best as a unit, and very rarely does one player lift everyone up, he has started to show that elite coverage ability again that we saw as a rookie.

If Newsome plays better, the Browns will have a better shot at winning.

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