The Browns Defense Is Really Good

Takeaways From Sunday’s Win Over The Titans

Winning solves everything in the NFL. It helps you get over a loss to a division rival on Monday Night Football. It helps soften the blow of losing your best offensive weapon. And it helps you live to fight another week in a loaded AFC conference.

The Browns’ 27–3 win against the Titans on Sunday was a step in the right direction for a team at a crossroads after only two games. Prior to the game, it was anyone’s guess which Browns team would show up at First Energy Stadium. And if Sunday was any indication, the Browns, yes the Cleveland Browns, may be on the upswing.

This Defense Is Really, Really, Really Good

Last season, the Browns’ defense was the reason that they lost games. Blown coverages, miscommunication, and bad tackling led to opponents controlling the game. This year is the complete opposite. Through 3 games, the Browns defense has been dominant. They held the Titans to a total of 94 yards on Sunday, and Derrick Henry, one of the league’s best running backs, had a total of 20 rushing yards.

The Browns’ defense was so dominant, that they stunned Henry, along with the Titans’ coaching staff.

Myles Garrett had a 3.5 sacks, and single handedly prevented the Titans from getting a chance at a last minute field goal before the end of the first half. Later, he caused a delay of game penalty by toying with the two Titans assigned to block him.

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has the defense playing loose, fast, and with swagger. Week 4 presents a matchup with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, and will undoubtedly present new challenges. But with the Ravens’ offensive line facing injuries, it could be a long afternoon at the office for Baltimore.

The Browns Feel Like They Have To Change Their Identity without Nick Chubb

You don’t just replace a running back like Nick Chubb. You can’t replace someone who averages nearly 6 yards a carry and wears down defenses late in games. But with Chubb out the rest of the season, the Browns have to try, and Sunday was a snapshot of what this offense will look like moving forward.

The run-then-throw offense flipped to a throw-then-run approach, with plenty of trick plays and misdirection thrown in. They ran more plays out of an empty backfield than I can recall in previous years.

Make no mistake about it, this team feels like they have to change their identity on offense to succeed. I don’t disagree, Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt are pass-catching backs who bring the energy, but aren’t the same type of bruising runner Chubb is. And this team was never going to be able to rely on the run to make a push to the playoffs.

Deshaun Watson Still Has A Long Way To Go But Took A Step Forward

Ok. I thought Monday Night in Pittsburgh was as bad as it could get. I even texted a friend group chat and declared that #4 is not the answer at quarterback. But he wasn’t done. He chose to do this on Sunday.

That must have been rock bottom. That has to be. Because that was the worst decision I think I have seen a quarterback make on a football field, and I know something about bad quarterback play. It deserved the viral shellacking it received.

But Watson eventually settled down and finished the game by completing 81.9% of his passes and a total of 289 yards, which is closer to the version of Watson the Browns need this season. Sunday was the best he has looked since joining the Browns. That performance isn’t good enough to accomplish a Super Bowl win, but it’s a step in the right direction.