The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Browns need key stops to upset Ravens
The Browns rank 12th in the NFL defensively heading into their game with the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 17 at FirstEnergy Stadium, and to hear defensive coordinator Gregg Williams say it, that ranking will only get better in the final three weeks.
“Right now, they’ve come a long ways,” Williams said Dec. 15. “They’re going to continue to improve. Don’t be shocked at the end of the year on how good and how much they’ve improved from the start of the year and last year comparable to other NFL defenses.”
One year ago, the Browns finished the season ranked 31st defensively.
The Browns’ 2017 defense, in reality, is like a fire department that somehow earns a high rating despite showing up at the scene after the blaze is out.
No team has given up more passing touchdowns than the 26 allowed by the Browns.
Being tied for 29th in points allowed is somewhat unfair to hang on the defense because opponents have scored four touchdowns on returns when the defense wasn’t on the field. But the 34 touchdowns allowed by the Browns is tied for 28th with the Jets and Buccaneers. The Lions and Giants have each given up 35 touchdowns on defense.
The Browns are infamous for not getting stops when they are needed most. Just last week the Packers scored a touchdown with 17 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. A 65-yard punt return to the Browns 25 set up the touchdown and then missed tackles in overtime allowed backup quarterback Brett Hundley to hook up with Davante Adams on a game-winning 25-yard touchdown pass in overtime.
“We are in the top-four tackling teams in the National Football League, and this was the worst tackling team in the National Football League last year,” Williams said. “We measure yards after contact. It’s one of the best yards after contact teams that I’ve had a chance to coach.
“When one guy misses a tackle, what are the other 10 guys doing? They better be cleaning it up. Otherwise, they’re interns for you guys (reporters).”
Williams’ explanation for giving up so many touchdown passes is he has the secondary playing more zone defense than he wants to. Without saying so, he is saying they aren’t talented enough to play man-to-man consistently.
“One of the things we have played to the skillset of who we are right now,” Williams said. “I’ve never played this much zone coverage in my life. You guys can figure out why.”
The Browns have a ready excuse if they have trouble stopping the Ravens, although Williams is hesitant to use it.
Cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun is doubtful with a knee injury. Cornerbacks Jamar Taylor (foot) is questionable. On Dec. 16 the Browns waived cornerback Darius Hillary with a knee injury and elevated defensive back D.J. Smith from the practice squad.
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is having a down season with 13 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions, but he always seems to have his way with the Browns. He was slowed by a sore back when he led the Ravens to a 24-10 victory over the Browns on Sept. 17, yet still completed 25 of 34 passes for 217 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception.
Defensive end Myles Garrett missed the game with the Ravens in September because he was out with a sprained ankle. Garrett isn’t having the rookie season he expected to have with five sacks in eight games, but he still has a chance to finish on a high note.
“I could have been better. I could have made some bigger splash plays,” Garrett said on Dec. 15. “There are always things you look back on and realize that if you would have done this or done that, you could have had a bigger impact.”
Big plays from Garrett would make that 12th overall ranking more realistic.