Bears vs. Browns: Analyzing the Snap Counts (Defense)

The Browns' defense had their moments against the Bears, specifically with the two defensive touchdowns they recorded. However, the 21 fourth quarter points by Chicago were the ultimate difference maker after CB Joe Haden left with an injury. The snap count distributions for the Browns' defenders against the Bears are listed below. [Week 15 offensive snap counts for Cleveland can be found here]

Defensive Line
Ahtyba Rubin	Billy Winn	John Hughes	Phil Taylor	Armonty Bryant	Ishmaa'ily Kitchen
61% 41/67 plays	55% 37/67 plays	52% 35/67 plays	43% 29/67 plays	19% 13/67 plays	19% 13/67 plays

Phil Taylor: 1 tackle (1 combined). 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit.
Ahtyba Rubin: 1 assist (1 combined).
John Hughes: 2 tackles (2 combined). 1 quarterback hit.
Armonty Bryant: 1 assist (1 combined). 1 quarterback hit.
Billy Winn: 2 tackles (2 combined). 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble.
Ishmaa'ily Kitchen: 1 assist (1 combined).

Thoughts: The Browns allowed an individual running back to go over 100 yards rushing for the first time this season in Matt Forte. The Browns used a different snap count distribution than last week, which mainly involved a significant decrease in Armonty Bryant's workload and a significant increase in Billy Winn's workload.

Inside Linebacker
D'Qwell Jackson	Craig Robertson
100% 67/67 plays	58% 39/67 plays

D'Qwell Jackson: 6 tackles, 3 assists (9 combined). 1 quarterback hit.
Craig Robertson: 4 tackles (4 combined). 1 tackle for loss.

Thoughts: There's really nothing of note about the inside linebackers; Martellus Bennett was able to beat them a couple of times in coverage. Craig Robertson's reps were lessened again, with T.J. Ward also playing some inside linebacker.

Outside Linebacker
Jabaal Sheard	Paul Kruger	Barkevious Mingo	Eric Martin
75% 50/67 plays	63% 42/67 plays	61% 41/67 plays	6% 4/67 plays

Paul Kruger: 1 quarterback hit, 1 pass defended.
Barkevious Mingo: 3 tackles (3 combined). 1 tackle for loss.
Jabaal Sheard: 2 tackles, 2 assists (4 combined). 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit.
Eric Martin: No stats registered.

Thoughts: This is your standard type of snap count distribution for the outside linebackers. Chicago doesn't yield many sacks, but Jabaal Sheard was able to get one after a play broke down. Paul Kruger didn't have any sacks, but did bat a pass down. Sheard was flagged for roughing the passer on Cutler's touchdown heave to Alshon Jeffery.

Cornerback
Buster Skrine	Leon McFadden	Joe Haden	Julian Posey
100% 67/67 plays	67% 45/67 plays	61% 41/67 plays	16% 11/67 plays

Joe Haden: 4 tackles, 1 assist (5 combined). 1 pass defended.
Buster Skrine: 1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined). 1 pass defended.
Leon McFadden: 1 tackle, 1 assists (2 combined). 0.5 sacks, 1 quarterback hit.
Julian Posey: 2 assists (2 combined). 0.5 sacks, 1 quarterback hit.

Thoughts: This is a rare time that you'll see Joe Haden not listed in the top two, and that's because he had to leave the game due to a hip pointer injury in the third quarter. Before he left, Haden was victimized at the end of the first half by the size of Brandon Marshall.

Safety
T.J. Ward	Tashaun Gipson	Jordan Poyer
100% 67/67 plays	97% 65/67 plays	45% 30/67 plays

T.J. Ward: 5 tackles, 4 assists (9 combined). 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defended, 1 fumble recovery, 1 touchdown.
Tashaun Gipson: 5 tackles, 3 assists (8 combined). 2 tackles for loss, 2 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown.
Jordan Poyer: 3 tackles (3 combined).

Thoughts: If the Browns had won, this would have been a heck of a day for the safeties, who notched two interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, and two touchdowns on the afternoon. The play that sparked the Bears in the fourth quarter came on the prayer for Jeffery, though. Tashaun Gipson was in position for his third interception of the game, but misjudged how far the ball was going. Jordan Poyer was unable to make a play either. T.J. Ward continued seeing reps at inside linebacker, hence all of the safety reps for Poyer.