The Cleveland Browns defense can improve. Okay, it has been one of the NFL’s worse defenses over the first eight games of 2020. But in Week 10, they finally showed up – and they showed up big. There are some things the Browns can do to keep their defense from regressing.
How the Cleveland Browns Defense Can Improve
The unit was significantly weakened after Greedy Williams and Grant Delpit sustained injuries that have kept them out this far into the season.
The Defense is Playing at a High Level
The Browns defense deserves plenty of praise this week. The Houston Texans have a powerful offense – one of the strongest in the league – despite their abysmal record for 2020. If the Browns defense hadn’t played at such a high level, the team would’ve struggled to walk away with the win. The Texans have the artillery and have proven themselves capable of big plays. The Browns put a stop to that by holding Houston to seven points. Head coach Kevin Stefanski knew, “it was not going to be easy.”
How Can They Continue Improving?
They forced some punts, which is something they should ideally continue doing for the rest of the season. When they next face a quarterback who has arm strength and accuracy, the ability to maneuver in the pocket and escape sacks, that’s when it will become clear if they have really improved themselves. Every player on their defense has more weaknesses than strengths, so those few strengths need to be harnessed.
Pass Defense Ranked Higher
The pass defense was much criticized and rightfully so. That is, until week 8, when they made a drastic turnaround and were ranked fifth in fewest rushing yards allowed. Now that week 9 is over, it seems Myles Garrett and Ronnie Harrison are no longer the only players living up to expectations. However, Garrett has played through injury over the last few games and his effectiveness has clearly been hindered.
Utilize Karl Joseph
In four starts, Karl Joseph played twice as many snaps at free safety as he did in the box. The best way to utilize him is by placing him near the line of scrimmage. He has speed and physicality to perform well in run game while playing tight man coverage on passing downs. The nickel wbacker role is ideal for him and he’ll be a substantial upgrade over any linebacker he replaces.
Play Less Zone
Williams and Denzel Ward are much better in tight man than zone coverage. Despite it being a real problem in 2019, defensive coordinator Joe Woods has continued playing too much zone coverage. Ward has a speed and fluidity that is perfect for sticking to his man. Zone isn’t right for him due to his poor reaction times and instincts. Williams is much the same. The Browns will be too easy to throw against if they continue being one-dimensional.
Focus on Shooting the Gaps
Cleveland’s linebackers are among the worst in the NFL. Rookie Jacob Phillips is their best hope this season but has only played 38 snaps across three games due to a knee injury. Both B.J. Goodson and Sione Takitaki lack coverage abilities and Mack Wilson is even worse than he was in 2019. The Browns linebackers have been picked on in the passing game and if any team is committed to running the ball, they will be destroyed too. Their only chance now is to penetrate and blow up plays. The middle of the field will be open but being so incapable of much else, getting tackles for loss and stopping a couple of drives each game will be their only option.
The Browns defense can continue to improve so long as Woods beginss implementing schemes different to the ones he has been using. Making the most of each defensive players’ strengths will help to counter their many weaknesses.
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