The defense was unbelievably good — downright historically good, in fact.

The special teams were outstanding as well.

The offense was . . . well, a lot better.

The Browns played a pretty much complete game from top to bottom in routing the Arizona Cardinals 27-0 on Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium. And it wasn’t even that close, by a long shot.

Yes, it was quite a turnaround from a week ago, when they lost 24-20 to the Seattle Seahawks in the closing moments, snatching victory from the hands of defeat.

But as good as the Browns looked against the Cardinals — and they looked very good — they are going to have to play even a little bit better to be able to keep up with the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday on the road. And they have to do it again the following week, on Nov. 19, when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers.

So, let the celebrating continue for a day or two, and then the Browns have to get back to work, because while a 5-3 record is pretty good at almost the midway point of the season, they have to keep going in this positive direction if they expect to be able to make it to the playoffs.

Steve King