Browns defense has big day from Carson Schwesinger, but yields two late TDs

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 8: Jordyn Tyson #0 of the New Orleans Saints dives forward past Carson Schwesinger #49 of the Cleveland Browns during the second half of a game at Caesars Superdome on November 8, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Derick Hingle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) |

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What is the story about?

The

Browns’ defense forced the Saints into some mistakes, living on the edge at times. It’s still frustrating to see them hold New Orleans without a touchdown for much of the game, only to allow back-to-back touchdowns in the final minute and then in overtime.

Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on defense for the Cleveland Browns’ Week 9 game against the New Orleans Saints.

Defensive Line

Maliek Collins was out this week, and Cleveland has turned what should’ve been a strength at defensive tackle into a bit of a weakness lately. The run defense just isn’t there.
On a day where Myles Garrett finally returned for the Rams and had three sacks, I got to watch Jared Verse have a chance at a sack right in front of him, and not come up with it. Verse again ranked toward the bottom of the PFF grades for defenders, and also had an offsides penalty early on.
Hat tip to Adin Huntington — even though he didn’t log a stat on defense, he forced a fumble on a punt return.

Linebacker

A week after Carson Schwesinger had one of his worst games, he came back with one of his best. He registered 15 tackles and had 2 sacks (both were chasing down Tyler Shough when he tried to take off). He also forced a big fumble at the goal line on Jordyn Tyson, and was the Browns’ highest-graded defender by PFF with a grade of 90.8.

Cornerback

It seemed like Tyson Campbell had a decent game to me, but his PFF grade suffered for poor run defense.
Denzel Ward had a pass defended and was the Browns’ second-highest graded player by PFF, grading out to a 79.9.
Are we going to see Myles Harden blitzing some more? He came free twice and got to Shough both times for sacks, and also knocked a pass away. He received a grade of 74.8 from PFF, third best on defense.

Safety

So…at what point is something going to be said about Grant Delpit’s play? He has often been a silent liability this year, and was the team’s worst graded defender by PFF (32.1). Meanwhile, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren continues to be effective and active.