Thank you to Dawgs by Nature’s Chris Pokorny for stopping by and answering a few questions about the Cleveland Browns that I had before their matchup with the Green Bay Packers in Week 3. If you guys have any other questions that you felt like were unaddressed, Dawgs by Nature’s site manager, Jared Mueller, is in The Feed answering questions for Packers fans, so go ahead and check that out.
Without any further ado, here’s this week’s edition of 5 Questions With the Enemy.
1. The Cleveland Browns have
some really impressive numbers against the run so far this year. The Packers haven’t really been able to get their running game going in first halves. Do you think that continues in Week 3?
The numbers through two games have been impressive indeed (45.5 yards rushing allowed per game, 2.07 YPC). While the numbers are probably a bit too strong because of the small sample size, I think it is indicative of some of the changes made to the defense this offseason with the selection of DT Mason Graham at No. 5 overall, LB Carson Schwesinger at No. 33 overall, and even DE Myles Garrett making more nifty plays against the run. I haven’t seen anything to say that Cleveland will suddenly allow gaping holes, but I also don’t get the feeling that Cleveland’s defense is so dominant against the run that opposing teams should forget about it.
2. The Browns’ defense leads the NFL in man coverage rate versus the pass. The Packers are coming off two successful games against top-5 defenses in terms of man coverage rate. Generally, their answer seems to be to throw the ball deep. Does that worry you?
This is another challenging question, based on small sample size and other factors. Cleveland prevented the big play for all of Week 1, shutting down Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. In Week 2, the defense was on pace to be lights out against the Ravens as well, but then CB Denzel Ward left the game early with cramps. With the likes of CB Cameron Mitchell and CB Myles Harden thrust into top duties, Lamar Jackson found some openings when he was able to buy time. Before you knew it, with the short fields that Cleveland’s offense kept giving to Baltimore, the scoreboard showed 41 points for Baltimore. That must have been one frustrated unit, because their effort was not matched by what was on the scoreboard. Right now, I’m not worried about the Packers throwing deep, because it’s another area that hasn’t shown to be a problem area, yet. Now, if you ask me about our offense, it’d be a different answer.
3. Just looking at some pass blocking stats, it seems like your tackle duo has struggled this year. How big is the worry that the Packers’ edge defenders take over the game?
This is another one that is hard to discuss, although yes, overall, the tackle position hasn’t been the best. However, our starting right tackle, veteran Jack Conklin, got poked in the eye in Week 1 and left early, and then last week, sat out with an elbow injury. It sounds like he’ll return this week, and is steady if he can remain healthy. At left tackle, Dawand Jones has been an issue. His pass protection has been lacking, he missed random snaps last week due to the heat, and has committed some penalties too. Jones looked like an absolute gem as a rookie in 2023, but has been very inconsistent in 2024 and now the start of 2025, so Green Bay’s edge defenders are definitely a concern. In addition, the Browns’ running backs have not thrown the best blocks either, leading to quicker pressure.
4. Offensively, you guys seem to be really leaning into two-receiver sets this year. Green Bay’s mostly played their nickel sets this year (half of their 4-3 looks versus Washington came in the first four snaps of the game). Why do you think the Browns like playing so big, personnel-wise, on offense?
It makes sense for our team makeup, because the Browns basically did not address their wide receiver position this offseason. As some other users have pointed out, Cleveland basically has a traditional No. 2 guy as our No. 1 receiver (Jerry Jeudy), and then Cedric Tillman might be more like a third- or fourth-receiver on the depth chart normally (but he is second in Cleveland). The depth after that is very light in terms of experience. At tight end, David Njoku is one of the best all-around tight ends in the game, and rookie Harold Fannin has delivered the goods as the team’s drafted tight end this offseason. The coaching staff essentially trusts Fannin to be the versatile third receiver, where they are willing to line him up anywhere pre-snap.
5. What are the odds you think Joe Flacco plays every single snap of this game on the offensive side of the ball, and what can you tell us about how Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders have looked like so far as rookies?
If the game is a blowout, then I’m sure we could see Dillon Gabriel play a little on the final drive again. Beyond that, though, I feel pretty confident that Joe Flacco will play every snap on offense. Last week’s game was really the first time we saw him rattled in a Browns uniform, and I will have faith that he can make a few big plays. In camp, Gabriel really started looking sharp in his last two preseason games, and that carried over to his one drive last week (even though it was garbage time). Shedeur Sanders, on the other hand, had fans praising him after his first-half preseason game against the Panthers. In the preseason finale, though, it looked like one of the worst games imaginable for him, as the pressure came quick and he didn’t know where to go with the ball.
