Browns Must Contain Bears QB Justin Fields On Sunday

The Browns defensive ends, whomever they may be, have the most important job in all of Cleveland on Sunday, as they attempt to keep Bears QB Justin Fields contained

"Contain" is the buzzword of the week as the Browns defense gets ready face off with Bears QB and former Ohio State Buckeye, Justin Fields. Whether you are going to be in the stadium (dress for a rain storm), or you are going to be watching from the couch, you are going to hear that word a lot.

Cleveland's ability to get to the quarterback is what makes this defense great. They are some of the best at wracking up sacks and pressuring the opposing quarterback at will.

Nov 26, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) drives past Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72)in the first half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

One thing that has been their detriment this year has been the athletic quarterback and the Browns' inability to keep contain and have good rush lane discipline. I think back to three plays this year, two in Seattle where Geno Smith broke contain and threw a touchdown to Tyler Lockett and converted a first down on a critical third-and-eight. I then think back to Russell Wilson breaking contain and throwing a back-breaking touchdown on a third down, all because our rush discipline broke down.

Sunday, Justin Fields comes to town leading one of the best big-play offenses in all of football. This offense isn't great, but Fields can make huge plays by breaking down defenses and making them pay for it. 

So, what is contain? Containing the quarterback is keeping a disciplined rush lane where the quarterback cannot escape outside. The defensive end, or any edge defender is just that, the edge, and nothing gets outside of him.

When defenders lose contain, you will often see them rush too far up the field and rush past the quarterback, or you will see them ignore their responsibility and the defense then loses its edge. This is a good video to show what can happen when contain is lost against Justin Fields.

Regardless of who is out there playing defensive end for this Browns' team on Sunday, their number one mission is to keep Fields inside, and not let him break contain and create the big play.