Cleveland Browns 2025 Week 5: Headed Across the Pond to Play

With a solitary win and a trio of losses to their credit, the Cleveland Browns are hopping the pond and playing their Week 5 game in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The timing for a game so far from home seems ideal after the resounding Week 4 loss to the Detroit Lions, which, of course, came on the heels of a narrow Week 3 victory over the previously undefeated Green Bay Packers. That’s emotional whiplash at its finest.

Cleveland Browns vs Detroit Lions Game Highlights | 2025 NFL Season Week 4

Cleveland Chaos

Sure, when Thomas Paine wrote “These are the times that try men’s souls,” he was referring to the American Revolution and not the Cleveland Browns offense and special teams. However, many long-suffering Browns fans have embraced that same mantra.

The team’s record (as of the end of the 2024 season) since 1999 is abysmal, with 142 wins, 278 losses, and 1 tie. With a league topping 40 starting quarterbacks in 26 years, the record is unsurprising.

That hardly scratches the surface of the Browns’ dysfunction. Remember to account for front office shake-ups, ownership changes, and a dizzying carousel of a dozen head coaches.

And the chaos isn’t limited to history—it’s alive and well in the trenches. Both starting tackles, Jack Conklin and Dawand Jones, are out, and the offensive line has struggled to protect quarterback Joe Flacco.

Flacco’s lack of mobility in the pocket is a liability; there’s a difference between being statuesque and being a statue, and right now, he’s leaning toward the latter. Even when he gets time, drops by wide receivers and his poor passing decisions that lead to picks, work against the Browns- killing drives and momentum. It’s hard to build consistency when the quarterback can’t stay upright, tosses picks, makes bad decisions, and has receivers who don’t hold onto the ball.

Myles Garrett Postgame Press Conference vs. Detroit Lions

Cleveland Consistency?

Apart from your favorite parking lot attendant or stadium beer guy, consistency in Cleveland is tough to find. However, the Cleveland Browns’ defense had been making a strong impression through the first three games.

In Week 1, against the Cincinnati Bengals, the defense pulled its weight. When all was said and done, Cleveland’s D limited the Bengals to just 141 yards of total offense. Plenty of blame can be laid at the feet of the offense and special teams for grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory.

The Browns’ defense held its own in the first half against the Ravens in a Week 2 loss. Most notably, Cleveland found defensive success by corralling running back Derrick Henry and holding the Ravens to a total of 45 rushing yards. Ultimately, the Browns’ offense couldn’t produce, and the defensive grit was worn away, which resulted in a 41-17 throttling.

The Week 3 defense provided the spark the team needed to shock fans and foes. This came in the form of an interception and a 25-yard run by veteran safety Grant Delpit. Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins turned the INT into a game-tying touchdown. Cleveland defensive end Shelby Harris blocked a 43-yard field goal attempt with 27 seconds left, and cornerback Greg Newsome II recovered it. Great defensive work (and two successful short passes from Flacco) set up Andre Szmyt’s 55-yard game-winning field goal.

What appeared to be consistency from the Browns’ defense through the first three games evaporated against the Lions. No takeaways by Cleveland, along with no sacks on Detroit quarterback Jared Goff, diminished the presence of the defense. Additionally, they managed to pressure Goff just a dozen times. Nothing was fear-inspiring or consistent about the Week 4 performance.

With the Browns heading across the pond, let’s hope jet lag doesn’t amp up the chaos. Maybe a dose of British composure—stiff upper lip, steady resolve—could be just the tonic. After all, tea and discipline never hurt anyone.