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Browns' defense reaches 50 straight games without allowing 300-yard passer

Cleveland holds longest active streak in the NFL

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Since 2023, the Browns have established an identity as one of the NFL's most effective pass defenses.

The Browns now have gone 50 games without allowing a 300-yard passer, the longest active streak in the NFL and the longest streak by any NFL team since the Colts went 52 games from 2005-08.

Their 50-game streak is Cleveland's longest run since a 67-game stretch between 1974-79. The last quarterback to throw for 300 yards against the Browns was Gardner Minshew for Indianapolis on Oct. 22, 2023.

In 2023, Jim Schwartz took over as the Browns' defensive coordinator, where he helped lead the Browns' defense to the No. 1 pass defense in the NFL — allowing just 164.7 passing yards per game. On the back of their pass defense, the Browns went 11-6 in 2023 and earned a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. Over the course of Schwartz's tenure with the Browns, which lasted from 2023-25, the Browns allowed 181.4 passing yards per game.

This season, the streak has continued under defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg, who is in his first season with the Browns. Rutenberg served as the defensive pass game coordinator with the Falcons in 2025 before joining the Browns, bringing an expertise in coverage concepts. Through their first five games this season, the Browns have allowed 216.6 passing yards per game, the 13th fewest in the NFL. 

The Browns' secondary has also played a pivotal role in maintaining their league-leading streak. CB Denzel Ward has anchored the Browns' unit as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL since 2023, making three straight Pro Bowls and leading all NFL players with 105 passes defensed since 2018.

"It just says a lot to the guys that (Andrew Berry) has in here on the defense and the players that are on the field and also the coaches," Ward said about the streak on Sept. 29. "Just being able to put in a good game plan going into each game, because it's different offenses each week, so just being able to put a great game plan in. And just minimizing guys from getting all those yards and we know that's going to help our team win, so I think that's the biggest thing."

On the back end of the secondary, S Grant Delpit has started 44 of the 50 games since the streak began in 2023, totaling two interceptions and nine passes defensed in that span, according to Pro Football Reference. To help bolster their coverage unit last season, the Browns traded for CB Tyson Campbell, who finished 2025 tied for third in the NFL with 18 passes defensed, per ESPN. 

Against both QB Baker Mayfield in Week 2 and QB Geno Smith in Week 5, the Browns' defense allowed under 200 passing yards. As they approach the three-year mark that their streak of not allowing a 300-yard passer began, the Browns' defense will look to continue limiting opposing quarterbacks through the air this season.

Browse action photos from the Browns' 2026 Week 5 game against the New York Jets, featuring top plays and moments.

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