Browns defense

The Browns defense, coordinated by former Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks, has been a middle of the road unit that has been effective in stopping the passing game whilst offering little resistance on the ground. The Browns have given up the sixth-fewest passing yards (3,050) whilst surrendering the sixth-most rushing yards with 1,893. Teams have averaged 7.3 yards per pass attempt against Cleveland, but have taken the Browns for 4.9 yards per attempt on the ground. This is the 5th highest yards per attempt average allowed.

Despite this, the Browns have only allowed 34.8% of the drives against them to end in a score. This is the 10th lowest rate in the league. They’ve also ended 11.2% of opposition possessions with a takeaway, the 17th best rate.

Wilks is a strong proponent of the blitz and has sent extra rushers on 39.4% of Cleveland’s defensive snaps. This is good for the fourth-highest rate in the league. This additional pressure has gone some way towards ensuring a top-ten sack rate for the Browns, who have taken enemy quarterbacks down at a 7.5% rate. Cleveland also has the ninth most tackles for loss with 71.

When big plays have happened against the Browns, they have usually been on the ground. 15% of the runs against them have gone for 20 or more yards, the second-highest rate in the league. By contrast, their 9% explosive pass rate is 18th.

Teams have deployed 11 personnel against the Browns on 58% of their snaps, passing on 64% of their plays when doing so. The Browns have only allowed 6.5 yards per attempt against this grouping whilst amassing 23 of their sacks and 10 of their interceptions. But teams have gouged the Browns for 5.4 yards per attempt on their 180 rushing attempts against them.

Teams have enjoyed some success passing against the Browns whenever they have lined up in, averaging a mammoth 9 yards per attempt when doing so. But the Browns have only seen 73 dropbacks when facing 12, despite their lack of success in defending the pass. As you’d expect, the Browns have also struggled to stop the run when two tight ends have joined the fray, allowing 5.0 yards per rushing attempt.

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