You might have noticed the Browns’ defense played well the first three games of 2023. Really well. Like, historically, ‘Can this really be the Browns?’ well.
The Browns, 2-1, have allowed only one touchdown on defense in 12 quarters. That occurred in the second quarter in Pittsburgh on Sept. 18 when Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett hooked up with George Pickens on a 71-yard catch-and-run.
But other than that:
The Browns rank first in run defense, allowing 52 yards a game and first in pass defense, allowing 111.7 yards a game. They have allowed the fewest first downs at seven allowed per game, the lowest completion percentage by opponents (48.3) and fewest points allowed at 10.7 a game.
Safety Juan Thornhill talks about two of the most important #Browns – Nick Chubb and Myles Garrett. pic.twitter.com/f3P8ARSCnI
— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) September 25, 2023
That last one is misleading, because of the 32 points the Browns have given up, 12 were scored directly off turnovers by Deshaun Watson. The two PATs are collateral damage.
The last time the Browns’ defense allowed only one defensive touchdown in its first three games before this season was in 1950 — hard to believe, but true. It was their first year in the NFL after winning four straight AAFC championships. They finished 10-2 in 1950, beat the Giants in a playoff game and then beat the Los Angeles Rams for the NFL championship.
This version of the Browns’ defense has simply dominated, and no player on the team has dominated more than Myles Garrett. Garrett sacked Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill three times and shared a sack with Ogbo Okoronkwo.
“We knew going into the game we wanted to be in third-and-shorter situations,” Tannehill said Sept. 24 after the Browns sacked him five times and held Tennessee to 2-of-12 on third down. ”You can say that every week, but especially with a team with a front like that. They’re able to tee off up front and then sync a bunch of guys into coverage on third-and-long situations. You’re in a tough situation.”
Garrett has 4.5 sacks in three games. That is impressive by itself, but he also has nine quarterback hurries and four quarterback hits to go with his sacks. Sometimes he’ll be at left end, sometimes at right end and sometimes he’ll rush from the inside.
“Myles is a great player,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I think everybody knows that and I know that. But I think when you add really, really good players, great players around him, it only frees him up to make more plays. And it works both ways.
“Myles gets a ton of attention that’s going to give other guys one-on-ones. So, I just think when you’re talking about a rush plan, it really does take everybody to execute that. And really, the pressure is what we’re looking for. The sacks are great, and we want sacks that turn into sack fumbles. But the pressure is really what we’re looking for.”
Dalvin Tomlinson, Z’Darius Smith, Shelby Harris, Maurice Hurst, Okoronkwo, Juan Thornhill, Cameron Mitchell and Rodney McLeod are new to the Browns’ defense.
Jim Schwartz is new to the Browns as their defensive coordinator, but he had the same job with the Titans, Bills and Eagles in previous stops and each time his defense played with the same contagious aggression.
Many numbers reflect the Browns’ early success on defense, starting with the ones listed above. Here are two more. The Browns have run 220 offensive plays. Their opponents have run 152. The Browns have possessed the ball an average of 36:36 a game compared to 23:24 for their opponents. When all was said and done a year ago, the Browns possessed the ball an average of 3:02 more than their opponents. The 2022 Browns gave up 381 points.
“I think to play at the level that we’re playing at right now takes everybody — players, coaches,” Stefanski said Sept. 25 on a Zoom call. “Obviously, Jim’s doing a great job leading that defensive side, including with the defensive coaches.
“I think Jim does a great job of coaching the coaches, but I think it’s everybody. I think you can go up and down the list of really from each room — the D line room, the linebacker room, the DB room of guys that are giving us great leadership, giving us great effort, obviously, on game day. But I think everybody should share that credit.”
Here’s another number. The Browns have punted 15 times. Opponents have punted 24 times, which is what happens when the other guys convert only 8 of 41 third-down situations. That means the defense is on the sideline more, and that means they should be more rested in November and December if the trend continues.
“It definitely helps your body,” Thornhill said Sept. 25 on Zoom. “Like you’re playing, let’s say, 50 plays a game and you’re not having to make as many tackles. So, you’re fresher going into the next week. But also, when you can play less plays, that means the offense has more opportunities to make plays and allows us to get more points up on the board.”
The next goal for the defense is to take the ball away more often. The Browns have two takeaways — both by Grant Delpit. Delpit intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble in the game with the Steelers.
RAVENS AT BROWNS
When: 1 p.m., Oct. 1
Where: Cleveland Browns Stadium
Records: Ravens 2-1, Browns 2-1
TV: WOIO; Radio: WKRK-FM 92.3, WNCX-FM 98.5, WKNR-AM 850
