(Photograph by Jason Miller/Getty Photos)
The Cleveland Browns’ protection, as soon as a formidable power in 2023, finds itself in unfamiliar territory this season.
Regardless of retaining most of their key gamers and getting into their second 12 months underneath Jim Schwartz’s steerage, the unit has taken a noticeable step again in a number of areas.
Final 12 months, they have been the league’s stingiest protection, permitting the bottom QBR and completion proportion.
This season, nonetheless, these numbers have slipped.
Their potential to power turnovers has diminished considerably and it was as soon as their hallmark.
A current stat highlighted by NFL Stats paints a regarding image for the Browns’ upcoming matchup in opposition to the Washington Commanders.
The Commanders lead the league with 67.6% of their drives ending in an offensive rating, whereas the Browns languish close to the underside at 23.9%.
Highest % of drives this season ending in an offensive rating:#Commanders – 67.6%#Saints – 57.5%#Bengals – 57.1%#49ers – 51.3%#Payments – 48.8%
Lowest %:#Dolphins – 21.7%#Browns – 23.9%#Jaguars – 27.9%#Broncos – 28.6%#Patriots – 28.6%
— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) October 3, 2024
Cleveland’s run protection is about to face a stern check, not simply from the electrical Jayden Daniels, however from a red-hot Commanders offense.
Washington ranks third in speeding yards per sport (169.3) and sixth in yards after contact per rush (2.11).
In distinction, the Browns have struggled with missed tackles, permitting a league-worst 2.24 yards after contact per designed rush.
Their current loss to Las Vegas uncovered these vulnerabilities, as they allowed a Raiders offense—minus star receiver Davante Adams—to amass 152 speeding yards.
This got here as a shock, contemplating the Raiders hadn’t even reached 71 yards on the bottom all season.
As Cleveland’s offense grapples with its personal rising pains and works to get Deshaun Watson again to his Professional Bowl type, the crew’s hopes of bouncing again from a 1-3 begin could hinge on a defensive resurgence.
With one of many league’s prime offenses looming, a return to final 12 months’s defensive dominance may very well be simply the spark the Browns have to ignite their season.
The put up Stat Highlights The Problem Browns’ Protection Will Face In opposition to Commanders appeared first on Browns Nation.
