Browns’ defensive line ‘just mauling people’

The defense sacked Justin Fields silly. It held Kirk Cousins to seven points. It is the centerpiece of a threegame win streak.

Browns fans are loving the view. John Johnson III can relate. He gets to see it up close, from the free safety position.

"You see guys just mauling people off the ball," Johnson said. "We're in the backfield. Offensive linemen are on the ground. It's just awesome."

Offseason pick-ups improved defensive synergy, wherein tight coverage by the secondary gives the men up front more time to get to a quarterback.

"I felt like we had pretty good coverage," Johnson said. "If we take that first read away, that rush is going to get home."

Four of the top five men in this year's defensive line rotation are new, including ends Jadeveon Clowney and Takk Mckinley and tackles Malik Jackson and Malik Mcdowell.

"It was a matter of us getting familiar with each other and growing," Jackson said. "The product is gelling."

At Minnesota, Jackson played 51 of a possible 67 defensive downs. Mcdowell played 44. Second-year Brown Jordan Elliott was the No. 3 tackle, logging 15 downs. Andrew Billings played

five snaps.

Mcdowell is a former Michigan State star who was out of the game for years before restarting his career with the 2021 Browns.

"Malik's come a long way," Jackson said. "He's a big boy ... a brawler. I try to be a little more finesse on pass rushes. He wants to get in there and just put you on your butt."

Coach Kevin Stefanski loved the whole defense at Minnesota.

"Our defense took us home," Stefanski said.

JIM MONE/AP Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Malik Jackson (97) celebrates after making a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in Minneapolis. The Browns won 14-7.