BEREA — Juan Thornhill wasn't just shooting from the hip.

The Browns safety was active and vocal on social media from the time he signed in March all the way up until the season started. The message he continually preached was one of a "new era" and trying to "change the narrative."

The defense has done its part through the Browns' first three games, to a level that's been historic in some ways. That's something Thornhill could see coming as he watched the various parts form around him.

"I've been talking about it since I first got here," Thornhill said on a Zoom call Monday. "I see the pieces each and every day, just seeing the talent that we have, and it's finally coming together and the world is starting to see it. Guys are making a lot of plays and everyone is starting to recognize what we're really capable of."

Thornhill missed the season-opening win over the Cincinnati Bengals due to a calf injury. However, the safety has been back out on the field for the last two games, including Sunday's dominating 27-3 win over the Tennessee Titans.

As good as the defense was the first two games — even in the loss in Pittsburgh — it paled in comparison to the masterpiece it produced against the Titans. The Browns held their Nashville visitors to just 94 total yards, the lowest yardage total for the franchise since it left Houston for Tennessee and its lowest output wherever it was located since 1974.

The output even caught Thornhill's offensive teammates stunned. A team videographer captured a shocked Wyatt Teller in the locker room as Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told the team about the accomplishment.

“Yeah, that was genuine," the Pro Bowl right guard admitted Monday. "I was not expecting to be filmed during that, but no, I mean, it's impressive. I mean, our defense is playing really well and it gives us an attitude on offense, too, when they're playing well."

The performance against Tennessee has left the Browns with some staggering statistics through three games. They have a 19.5% (8 of 41) third-down conversion rate, and have only allowed one offensive touchdown in 34 non-kneel-down possessions.

The Browns have allowed just 3.2 yards per play, which is, according to TruMedia, the lowest this century. So, too, is the fact 61.5% of their opponents' drives end in three-and-out.

"We talk, we meet as a unit discussing third downs, finding ways we can get off the field because that's the money down," Thornhill said. "That's what we talk about each and every week. And we hold ourselves to a high standard each and every day. We talk about not giving up a catch on third down or giving up a first down or something like that. So literally just holding ourselves accountable, working hard at practice."

They've allowed 491 total yards through three games, the third-lowest total by any team since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. No Browns defense, meanwhile, has allowed that few yards in the opening three games.

The closest is the 537 yards the 1957 defense surrendered. That team played for the NFL championship, while this team's destiny remains untold.

Still, three games is a solid proof of concept. It's a concept that was sold to Thornhill, who won two Super Bowls in his first four NFL seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, during free agency.

"I mean, it's hard not to buy in," Thornhill said. "If you're a part of a defense that's not really successful, not making any plays, you start questioning some things. But with this defense that we're in, obviously it's showing that guys are making a lot of plays, so it’s easy to buy in. You’ve just got to keep playing each and every week for the guy next to you."

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns defense finally get recognition it feels it deserves