Every defense has an identity it leans on when things get tough. Some teams win with turnovers, while others count on a pass rush to rattle quarterbacks. For most of this season, the Browns could count on shutting down the run and forcing teams into obvious passing downs. Over the last 2 weeks, that foundation has started to crack.
Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com was asked whether last week’s loss in Pittsburgh signaled trouble for the 2nd half of the season, and he pointed straight at the run defense.
“Possibly. I look at the last two games where the Browns have allowed 341 yards on the ground – including two TDs. They had allowed only one rushing TD in the first eight games. Something went very wrong on defense when it comes to defending the run,” Pluto wrote.
The drop-off has been sudden. Through the first 6 games, opponents managed just 1 rushing touchdown against Cleveland. Over the last 2, the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers combined for 341 rushing yards and 2 scores on the ground.
Pittsburgh did most of the damage. The Steelers ran for 200 yards in Sunday’s 27-6 win, with 143 of those coming from Jaylen Warren. Once the run game got going, Pittsburgh controlled the clock and kept the Browns’ offense off the field.
The Titans game was a warning sign. Cleveland escaped Nashville with a 27-24 win on a late field goal, but Tennessee still found room to run for more than 140 yards. A week later, the Steelers took that blueprint even further.
Injuries are part of the story. Carson Schwesinger has been playing through wrist and ankle injuries for weeks, and Quincy Williams missed Wednesday’s practice with a hamstring injury. Maliek Collins was also held out with an elbow injury, and Jared Verse was limited with a knee issue.
That is a lot of the front 7 dealing with something at once. The Browns’ defense was built to win up front, and when those players are not at full strength, it shows against the run first.
Mike Rutenberg’s unit has carried this team for much of the season. The Browns rank in the top half of the league in scoring defense, and they have made enough stops late in games to give Deshaun Watson a chance to win them. That formula does not work if opponents can run the ball at will.
The fix has to come quickly. The Saints are coming off their bye, and Alvin Kamara has been one of the league’s most dangerous backs for years. With Shedeur Sanders possibly starting at quarterback, the Browns cannot afford to fall behind early because their defense cannot get off the field.
Sunday in New Orleans will show whether the last 2 weeks were a blip or the start of a real problem.
NEXT: Ian Rapoport Reveals Injury Update On Deshaun Watson
