{"id":98129,"date":"2020-11-17T17:22:56","date_gmt":"2020-11-17T22:22:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=98129"},"modified":"2021-05-30T14:29:24","modified_gmt":"2021-05-30T18:29:24","slug":"how-the-cleveland-browns-defense-can-improve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/11\/17\/how-the-cleveland-browns-defense-can-improve\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Cleveland Browns Defense Can Improve"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Cleveland Browns<\/a> defense can improve. Okay, it has been one of the NFL\u2019s worse defenses over the first eight games of 2020. But in Week 10, they finally showed up \u2013 and they showed up big. There are some things the Browns can do to keep their defense from regressing.<\/p>\n

How the Cleveland Browns Defense Can Improve<\/h2>\n

The unit was significantly weakened after Greedy Williams<\/a><\/strong> and Grant Delpit<\/strong> sustained injuries that have kept them out this far into the season.<\/p>\n

The Defense is Playing at a High Level<\/h3>\n

The Browns defense deserves plenty of praise this week. The Houston Texans<\/a> have a powerful offense \u2013 one of the strongest in the league \u2013 despite their abysmal record for 2020. If the Browns defense hadn\u2019t played at such a high level, the team would\u2019ve 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<\/strong> knew, \u201cit was not going to be easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

How Can They Continue Improving?<\/h3>\n

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\u2019s 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pass Defense Ranked Higher<\/h3>\n

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<\/a><\/strong> and Ronnie Harrison<\/a><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

Utilize Karl Joseph<\/h3>\n

In four starts, Karl Joseph<\/a><\/strong> 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\u2019ll be a substantial upgrade over any linebacker he replaces.<\/p>\n

Play Less Zone<\/h3>\n

Williams and Denzel Ward<\/a><\/strong> are much better in tight man than zone coverage. Despite it being a real problem in 2019, defensive coordinator Joe Woods<\/strong> has continued playing too much zone coverage. Ward has a speed and fluidity that is perfect for sticking to his man. Zone isn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

Focus on Shooting the Gaps<\/h3>\n

Cleveland\u2019s linebackers are among the worst in the NFL. Rookie Jacob Phillips<\/a><\/strong> is their best hope this season but has only played 38 snaps across three games due to a knee injury. Both B.J. Goodson<\/a><\/strong> and Sione Takitaki<\/a> <\/strong>lack coverage abilities and Mack Wilson<\/a><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019 strengths will help to counter their many weaknesses.<\/p>\n

Main photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>