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Below, we analyze the snap counts on defense for the Cleveland Browns' Week 16 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Defensive Line
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| DL | Desmond Bryant | 34 | 63% | 3 tackles (3 combined). 1 quarterback hit. |
| DL | Randy Starks | 32 | 59% | 2 tackles (2 combined). 2 tackles for loss, 1 quarterback hit. |
| DL | Danny Shelton | 19 | 35% | 2 tackles (2 combined). |
| DL | Xavier Cooper | 19 | 35% | 1 tackle (1 combined). |
| DL | John Hughes | 19 | 35% | 1 tackle (1 combined). |
| DL | Jamie Meder | 16 | 30% | 1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined). |
The Browns were able to minimize the amount of snaps the Chiefs had in the second half. That allowed the likes of Danny Shelton, Xavier Cooper, John Hughes, and Jamie Meder to use as much energy as possible in their limited snaps. Alex Smith beat the Browns with his legs, but overall, the defense did a fair job defending the run again, showing definite progress from the first three quarters of the season.
Outside Linebacker
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| OLB | Paul Kruger | 41 | 76% | 2 tackles, 2 assists (4 combined). 1 quarterback hit. |
| OLB | Armonty Bryant Armonty BryantNate Orchard | 30 | 56% | 2 tackles (2 combined). 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 1 pass defended. |
| OLB |
Barkevious Mingo |
18 | 33% | No stats registered. |
With Armonty Bryant inactive due to his arrest last week, I thought Barkevious Mingo would receive an uptick in playing time. His reps weren't increased too much, though, and when he had his big opportunity to register a point blank sack, he let Alex Smith get away, leading to a 29-yard gain. One could argue that if Mingo registers that sack, the game is 10-3 heading into halftime instead of 17-3. Nate Orchard had a big day on the stat sheet, combining for an interception with Craig Robertson before ripping it away and showing off his speed up the sideline. He also registered the team's only sack of the day.
Inside Linebacker
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| ILB | Karlos Dansby | 54 | 100% | 1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined). |
| ILB | Craig Robertson | 29 | 54% | 2 tackles (2 combined). |
| ILB | Christian Kirksey | 28 | 52% | 1 assist (1 combined). |
The inside linebackers were relatively quiet on the stat sheet, which might be a bad thing since I imagine somebody from this group is responsible for tracking down Alex Smith on all of the scrambles he had.
Safety
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| S | Tashaun Gipson | 54 | 100% | 3 tackles (3 combined). |
| S | Donte Whitner |
54 | 100% | 6 tackles (6 combined). |
| S | Jordan Poyer |
11 | 20% | 1 rush, 10 yards* |
Aside from Donte Whitner jawing with Jeremy Maclin, it was another quiet day for the safeties. Jordan Poyer made some contributions on special teams, converting a fake punt with a tough 10-yard run and also logging two special teams tackles.
Cornerback
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| CB | Tramon Williams | 54 | 100% | 3 tackles (3 combined). 1 tackle for loss. |
| CB | Charles Gaines | 51 | 94% | 4 tackles (4 combined). |
| CB | K'Waun Williams |
31 | 57% | 3 tackles, 1 assist (4 combined). 1 pass defended. |
The struggles of Tramon Williams continued another week, as he committed a long pass interference penalty and allowed a touchdown to Travis Kelce before the end of the first half (although the secondary was arguing with what happened on that play). K'Waun Williams' return was a welcome sight. The Chiefs don't spread the field with a lot of receivers, so the Browns didn't need the services of Pierre Desir (active), Johnson Bademosi (active), or Justin Gilbert (inactive).
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Amount of Defensive Plays, By the Week
- Week 1: 61 plays
- Week 2: 80 plays
- Week 3: 71 plays
- Week 4: 65 plays
- Week 5: 70 plays*
- Week 6: 84 plays*
- Week 7: 53 plays
- Week 8: 81 plays
- Week 9: 67 plays
- Week 10: 66 plays
- Week 11: Bye Week
- Week 12: 59 plays
- Week 13: 57 plays
- Week 14: 56 plays
- Week 15: 71 plays
- Week 16: 54 plays