Patriots' Josh McDaniels names Browns' defense 'one of the best-coached units in football'

The Cleveland Browns season isn't going very well, but it's taken a positive turn in the last week. Despite being 2-5, the Browns are third in the AFC North and just 2.5 games behind the first place Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Browns started the year 1-5 with the offense scoring no more than 17 points in any game. However, Cleveland beat the Miami Dolphins 31-6 this past Sunday, and it seemed to give the team some juice this week.

The Browns will face the New England Patriots in Week 8, and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels had some high praise for the Browns defense on Thursday morning.

Josh McDaniels makes bold Browns' defense statement

As the Patriots prepare for the Browns on Sunday, McDaniels met with the media on Thursday morning and gave a lot of credit to Browns' defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

"This is one of the best-coached units in all of football," McDaniels said of Jim Schwartz' defense. "This is the biggest challenge we've had so far."

Despite the Browns 2-5 record, the defense has been light out in 2025. Cleveland leads the NFL, allowed just 256 yards per game, according to The Football Database. The Browns rank No. 4 in rushing yards allowed and No. 3 in passing yards allowed.

McDaniels also added that the Browns' front four is very formidable and it's not just Myles Garrett. Cleveland does well to move its star around the line to get the best matchups and put his teammates in a position to succeed.

The Patriots will be a big test for the Browns defense. New England has been one of the surprises through Week 7 of the NFL season, sitting at 5-2 and atop the AFC East division.

The Patriots have won four straight games, and have scored 121 combined points across those games. Quarterback Drake Maye has found his rhythm and New England has been hard to stop.

The Patriots and Browns will play in Foxborough at Gillette Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m.

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