Several key events had to unfold for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in their win over the Green Bay Packers.
The defense had to come up with a big turnover. The special teams unit had to block a kick. The offense had to finally get out of a funk that enveloped the unit for the first 56 minutes of the game. The much-maligned rookie kicker had to convert the longest game-winning field goal as time expired in franchise history.
All those things actually happened, and they were all made possible by a defensive
effort that befuddled the Packers throughout the game.
Cleveland’s defense kept Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs out of the end zone, breaking his streak of 11 consecutive games with a touchdown. The defense also swarmed Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love to the tune of five sacks from six different players.
The one stat that stood out the most is that Love’s average pass went less than two yards beyond the line of scrimmage, according to The Ringer. That is the lowest single-game mark of Love’s five-year career and the lowest by any quarterback through the first three weeks of the season.
Cleveland did not allow a completion of more than 10 yards until the fourth quarter, and the defense exerted its will on the Packers:
Cleveland dictated that plan from the jump. Jim Schwartz’s defense lined up in two-high shells on 43 percent of snaps, his highest rate since 2023, and let the front four go to work. The Packers running backs averaged 2.5 yards per carry, the second-lowest rate in Week 3. Love was pressured on 45 percent of his drop-backs, with Myles Garrett, Maliek Collins, and rookie Mason Graham each recording four pressures against the banged-up Packers offensive line.
Love wasn’t shying away from deep throws; the Browns just took them away. They gave up almost no downfield opportunities, and Love faced constant pressure, especially from the interior. It was an excellent game plan from Schwartz, coupled with stellar play from all three levels of the Cleveland defense.
The Browns now rank first in total yards allowed (204.3 per game), first in run defense (57.3 yards per game), and are tied for second in sacks (11).
One of the significant differences this year is that the defense is not just comprised of Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward, even though they remain key members.
The new guys are also doing their part, as ESPN highlights:
Rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger has been a day-one starter since the Browns drafted him No. 33 in this year’s draft. Schwesinger, who relays the defensive playcalls, is tied for first with Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. among all rookies with 21 tackles.
Fellow rookie Mason Graham, the No. 5 pick, had his best game as a pro on Sunday. He registered a pass rush win rate of 43%, almost five times the average for a defensive tackle. Right next to him, the free agent signing of defensive tackle Maliek Collins has been a hit. Collins ranks 13th in pass rush win rate among defensive tackles, while Graham ranks eighth. And third-year defensive end Isaiah McGuire leads the NFL in pass rush win rate.
The defense did everything it could to keep the Browns in the game against the Packers until the offense finally showed up. It was similar to the Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, only special teams’ miscues cost the Browns a win that day.
The Browns face another test this week when they play the Detroit Lions, who have put up 90 points in the past two games.
But after seeing what the defense did against the Packers, the Lions may be in for an unexpectedly long day when the Browns come to town.
