The Browns defense is the biggest reason the team is sitting at 5-3 heading into Week 10. A spot in the playoffs at this point of the season is a plus, and the team can be hopeful looking ahead. While there were some games and performances where the offense did not play well, the defense has stepped up every game.
Browns Defense Shows Reliability with Top Three Net Yard Performances
To say they have played well may be an understatement, but looking at the numbers shows how historically dominant they have been. This Browns defense is ranked amongst the top in the league in most categories. Last Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, they put together another impressive feat. When looking at the fewest net yards allowed in a game this season, the Browns already had the numbers one and two. After the stout defensive showing last week, they broke their other previous records and now have the top three fewest net yards allowed in the 2023 season. Lets take a look at how they did it.
Browns Defense vs Bengals
The Browns defense opened the year holding the high-powered Bengals offense to just 142 total net yards in a blowout 24-3 win. This game showed a lot of things, but primarily the fact that the defense is not just good, but dominant. The Bengals had a slightly injured quarterback but still possessed some of the best playmakers in the league.
The impressive Bengals passing attack was held to just 67 passing yards with their top receiver finishing with 39 yards. The rushing game gained 75 yards on 20 carries, good for 3.8 yards per carry.
The Browns controlled this game on both sides having the ball for nearly 12 more minutes than their opposition. While they did not force a turnover and had just two sacks, they kept everything in front of them and held the Bengals to 2-15 on third down to secure the win.
Browns vs Titans
The stellar Week 1 showing at home was followed by an even better performance in their next home game in Week 3. A dominant 27-3 win over the Titans silenced any doubters that the Browns defense had a lucky showing. The Titans were held to just 94 total net yards in the game.
The Titans have been known to dominate in the run game and have two talented running backs this year. The result was not what anybody expected. Rushing the ball only got them 26 yards all game on 15 carries, 1.7 yards per carry. The defense also took the passing game out of the equation even though the Browns never trailed. The Titans offense was held to 68 net passing yards and held under 100 yards of total offense.
Myles Garrett appreciation post
Thru 8 Games:
🟠 25 Tackles
🟠 18 QB Hits
🟠 9.5 Sacks
🟠 8 TFLs
🟠 4 Forced Fumbles (career high already)
🟠 2 PBUs
🟠 1 Fumble RecoverySheesh.@Flash_Garrett #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/RnDXKvn6iH
— Browns Digest (@BrownsDigestFN) November 7, 2023
Dominating time of possession was crucial in this game with the Browns having the ball for just under 17 more minutes. They did not force a turnover in this game either, but forced eight Titans penalties. The Titans were 2-12 on third down and 0-2 in the red zone en route to an ugly loss.
Browns vs Cardinals
After the Week 3 dominance, the Browns went 2-2 the next stretch of games. Leading into a matchup with the Cardinals, the team with the worst record at the time was not expected to show much flash on offense. This expectation became a reality as they lost 27-0, putting together an astoundingly low 58 total net yards.
Of course, starting a rookie quarterback with just one professional pass attempt could help explain the struggles. The Cardinals had just 17 net passing yards in the game, despite playing from behind for the entirety of the game. Additionally, the rushing game had just 41 yards with 28 of those coming from the quarterback. The impressive defense led to just 2.0 yards per carry by the opposition.
Browns defense wreaked all sorts of havoc yesterday 😈 pic.twitter.com/OOlDcz93zR
— NFL (@NFL) November 6, 2023
Time of possession was a factor yet again, which kept the Browns defense fresh throughout the game. The difference in this game was that they forced turnovers, creating two interceptions and one fumble. The Cardinals never sniffed the red zone and were 1-12 on third down in the defeat.
Looking at these performances, which were the three best by a defense in terms of yardage allowed, there are similarities. The offense dominated the time with the ball, keeping the defense fresh. The defense not only got the opposition into third down but held them as well. While the turnovers were not in play besides one game, negating chunk plays was. If the Browns defense can use the talking points from these games to their advantage, they will remain amongst the scariest in the league.
Main Photo: Ken Blaze – USA Today Sports
