In a year where the Browns defense has been amongst the best in every defensive category, a lot of names have flown under the radar. Guys like Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward are the stars and make great plays. However, many defensive players on the team have not gotten as much love.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Continues Dominant Play
Many of these players are young and have not been as publicized to the league. Browns fans know just how good they have been, and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is one of them. The third-year linebacker out of Notre Dame has been as reliant as they come since joining the orange and brown.
Strong Out of The Gate
In his rookie year, Owusu-Koramoah featured in 14 games. He racked up 76 total tackles, one and a half sacks, and two forced fumbles. His second-year stint involved just 11 games, but he had very similar numbers in the process.
Year three has brought better health and more consistent dominance. He has played in all 12 games for a team plagued by injuries. Owusu-Koramoah already has 70 tackles, just six off his career-high. With five games left, he also has two and a half sacks and a forced fumble. Four passes defended and an 18.5-stuff rate on or behind the line of scrimmage add to an impressive 2023 resume.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah if he can stay healthy behind this defensive line he will have a pro bowl type season #DawgPound. pic.twitter.com/cIUxRXhaJc
— Tyler Johnson (@T_johnson_TJ) August 12, 2023
With guys missing plays, games, weeks, and more he has stayed resilient. A centerpiece of the defense he has been leaned upon so far. With the defense having more tough games ahead, linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has a chance to continue to impress.
Important Stretch
Sitting at 7-5 with five games left, the defense will be essential for a playoff push. The offense has had a plethora of season-ending injuries and has struggled at times. The rest of the schedule features a lot of manageable games, especially for the defense.
The next game is the Jaguars who just had their second-best receiver and starting quarterback suffer injuries and had a short week to recover. They also play teams that are 4-8, 4-8, and 6-6 with struggling offenses. The other toughest test remaining for the defense is the Houston Texans. If they can hold these two AFC South teams in check with linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah covering the middle, the Browns may walk into another postseason appearance.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has shown mass improvement under his new DC Jim Schwartz
2023 missed tackle rate- 7.1%
(14.9% in 2022)
(17.4% in 2021)On pace for 40 run stops which would be a career high
Break out season incoming #DawgPound
pic.twitter.com/hSBmRj1swQ— Mac🦬 (@tha_buffalo) September 26, 2023
It is easier said than done now, and the defense knows they have work to do. Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is second on the team in tackles but will need to make more of those big plays in the next five weeks. Three of the five opponents left are home games, with one road game being in the state. Maintaining freshness and fixing minor issues are essential for a unit relied on as much as any in the league.
The Browns are returning from two west-coast games and ended up staying out west between contests. Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and the defense will have a much-needed recovery back home before attacking the final stretch of the 2023 season. If they play as they have been all year, and limit some of the big plays they have given up, it will be an exciting last month of regular season football for Browns fans.
Main Image: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
