Browns return to work on top

By Nate Ulrich

Akron Beacon Journal

CLEVELAND

The Cleveland Browns have sole possession of first place in the AFC North, and there are several explanations for the franchise’s resurgence this season.

Free safety Tashaun Gipson developing into a takeaway machine is among the top reasons.

“He’s having a defensive-MVP type season,” Browns inside linebacker Karlos Dansby said recently. “That’s what he’s having.”

The Browns (6-3) found themselves alone atop the division standings Sunday after the Pittsburgh Steelers were upset by the New York Jets 20-13. The Cincinnati Bengals (5-3-1) are in second place. The Steelers (6-4) and Ravens (6-4) are tied for third.

“My Sunday just got a whole lot better before I head to church,” Gipson tweeted after the Steelers lost. “Guess who is atop the AFC North solely in 1st place? #DawgPound #GoBrowns.”

The last time the Browns had sole possession of first place in Week 10 or later was Nov. 19, 1994, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. They were alone in first place in Week 11 of that season. Then they were tied for first after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs 20-13 on Nov. 20, 1994.

Browns players were off Monday after thrashing the Bengals 24-3 last Thursday. When they return to work today, they’ll begin preparing for the clear-cut favorite to become the Defensive Player of the Year, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt. Coming off an open weekend, the Texans (4-5) will visit FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday.

Regardless of Watt’s prowess, Dansby’s point about Gipson is well taken.

“He’s having a great, great, great year, great season,” Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden said. “Gip, he studies the game better than a lot of people. He really watches it.

“He studies film, and he has great hands, great instincts. I really like him at the free safety position. I think he’s one of, or if not, the best free safety in the league.”

Gipson leads the NFL with six interceptions, including one he returned 62 yards for a touchdown during an upset win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 2.

He has four of those picks and a forced fumble in the past four games.

The defense, as a whole, has forced 12 turnovers in the past four games, helping the Browns build a plus-nine turnover differential this season and a three-game winning streak.

“Turnovers are key in the National Football League,” Gipson, who has 42 tackles this season, said. “Typically the teams that are at the top of the turnover margin typically are the teams that are playing in the playoffs, so I think they’re huge.

“And anytime you have an offense and a guy operating it like [quarterback Brian] Hoyer, who really doesn’t turn the ball over much, it’s key for us to get turnovers and put us in the best situation.”

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Gipson experienced a rare disappointment Thursday, when he dropped what would have been his seventh interception. Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton threw the ball right to Gipson, who failed to secure it at the Browns’ 41-yard line while looking downfield with 11:36 left in the third quarter.

“If he had gotten the pick, he’d have damn sure been out front,” Dansby said. “In my eyes, he’d have been out front.”

For a touchdown?

“Oh, [heck] yeah,” Dansby said. “Without a doubt.”