Browns Defense Among Best in League, Where it can Improve

Why the Cleveland Browns defense has an argument as the best in the league and where it still could get better.

If three games is indeed evidence, the Cleveland Browns defense is one of the best in the league. The early returns have been outstanding as the Browns are suffocating opponents, surrendering 163.3 yards and 6 points per game, but they also have an area they'd like to improve.

The Browns defense has yielded just one touchdown. That came against the Pittsburgh Steelers on their worst two-play sequence of the first 12 quarters. The Browns gave up 3rd-and-10 when they had three defenders between the ball carrier and the first down marker and allowed Jaylen Warren to get the first. That was followed up by a 71-yard touchdown pass on a coverage breakdown.

The Tennessee Titans were the first offense to reach the Browns red zone. That resulted due to a lost fumble by the Browns offense that the Titans recovered on the Browns 17-yard line. The Titans would lose nine yards and kick a field goal.

The Browns have allowed an NFL-low 3.2 yds/play this season, best by any NFL defense through 3 games this century, per @TruMediaSports.

The per-play dominance has helped Cleveland force 3-and-outs on 61.5% of opp drives, also best by any defense through 3 games since 2000.

— Jason Starrett (@starrettjason) September 25, 2023

Consider the averages against what the Miami Dolphins were able to produce offensively against the Denver Broncos. 70 points on 726 total yards of offense. If the Browns were to hold up their average of points, they'll reach 70 some time during week 13. The yardage would take take until game five.

The Browns front sets the tone for the defense, which has greatly improved their ability to stop the run. The Browns demonstrated that by holding Derrick Henry to just 20 yards rushing on 11 carries. He was a complete non-factor in the game.

The Browns dominated the line of scrimmage, forcing Henry sideways and when he tried to go outside, they were met quickly by linebackers and defensive backs flying downhill. That forced the ball into Tannehill's hands and he was mostly reduced to throwing fades up the sideline, which had some effectiveness in the second quarter enabling them to get into field goal range, but had no points to show for it. The Browns shut that down in the second half.

When the Browns defense is presented with obvious passing situations, the opposing quarterback has to get the ball out quickly or risk getting drilled. The Titans game produced the Browns highest sack total of the season with five, but both Kenny Pickett and Joe Burrow were never comfortable and got rid of the ball quickly.

That has allowed Browns defensive backs to operate at the peak of their powers in preventing completions. Denzel Ward already has five pass break ups for the season, among the best in the league. Grant Delpit is playing his best ball at safety and they are deep at both positions.

The best number for the Browns through three games may be their third down efficiency. The Browns have only allowed eight third down conversions in 41 opportunities, a rate of just 19.5 percent.

It's not reasonable to expect the Browns will keep up this level of effectiveness for the entire season. Opposing coaches get paid too and they will find ways to move the ball against this defense, but it's difficult to imagine they won't stay near the top of the league.

The Browns have another level they can reach on defense if they can start causing turnovers. Incredibly, the Browns are -5 for the season on turnover differential and their defense has forced just two through three games. An interception and fumble recovery by Grant Delpit came against the Steelers is all they've gotten. That turnover differential is the reason the Browns aren't 3-0.

The offense needs to do a better job of protecting the ball, but the turnovers on defense should be coming. Myles Garrett forced a fumble on one of his 3.5 sacks against the Titans, but the Browns were unable to recover it. Anthon Walker Jr. was unable to reel in a Tannehill throw he undercut near the goal line.

The Browns are ramping up the stress on opposing quarterbacks and it's only a matter before it causes a breakdown. The team hopes it happens this coming game when they host the Baltimore Ravens. Lamar Jackson has fumbled four times in three games, losing two of them. If the Browns can corral him with their pass rush, they have a good shot to force a turnover.

It's only three games, but the Cleveland Browns best defense this century is one of the NFL's best defenses this century. It's worth the price of admission on its own, but the fact the Browns are winning games always helps.