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Through three games, Jacoby Brissett is probably the biggest surprise on the Browns, and maybe one of the biggest surprise performers in the NFL. He ranks ninth in QBR (62.6), ahead of Justin Herbert, Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers, among others. He has completed 66.3% of his passes and thrown four touchdowns with only one interception. The running game has been prolific, but Cleveland ranks fifth in offensive efficiency because of its quarterback as well. If Brissett can maintain this level of play, the Browns should be firmly in the playoff mix once Deshaun Watson returns from suspension in Week 13.

Three weeks in, and Nick Chubb has a damn good case for the title of Best Running Back On The Planet. The Browns star was again a dominant force on Thursday Night Football against the Steelers, rolling to 113 yards and a touchdown in a 29-17 win. It was Chubb's third straight game over 100 yards from scrimmage to begin the year. The victory represented a huge lift for Cleveland after the team's baffling Week 2 collapse against the Jets. Chubb's ability to run through tackles and keep defenses off balance has been a prime factor in Jacoby Brissett's surprisingly strong start behind center. The Browns' offense has been balanced and efficient.

The run game keyed the victory against the Steelers, which is what we expect. But Jacoby Brissett made a lot of timely throws.

Many would suggest this franchise doesn't deserve to catch a break, but the clouds seemed to be parting amid a 2-1 start. Then DE Myles Garrett was involved in a scary car accident Monday. Luckily, he wasn't seriously hurt, though his football availability is TBD.

Quietly, the Browns have one of the better offenses in the league through three weeks. They rank third in EPA per drive and first in EPA per rush, which tells you how they've been effective. They lead the NFL with 19 runs of at least 10 yards after leading the league in the same category last season. Jacoby Brissett, meanwhile, is caretaking at a high enough level to rank 12th in the league in EPA per dropback, ahead of the likes of Aaron Rodgers (15th), Stafford (16th), Burrow (19th) and Brady (22nd). Is there any scenario in which he could play well enough to keep the job come Week 13?

Jacoby Brissett has very quietly exceeded expectations playing a glorified game manager role in Kevin Stefanski's offense. The rushing attack, led by Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, couldn't have gotten off to a better start. Cleveland currently leads the NFL in EPA per designed run (0.20). Nothing is guaranteed with Brissett under center and the Browns' defense has severely underperformed, but the 2-1 start is promising enough to keep them in contention for a playoff spot.

I wonder if Nick Chubb can make a run at NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He has 341 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 62 carries, and leads the NFL in all three categories. The Browns are going to ride him hard. If he keeps up close to this pace and the Browns stay in the AFC North race with their backup quarterback for 11 games, Chubb will get a lot of the credit.

They suffocated the Steelers, and they could keep winning plenty of games even without Deshaun Watson.