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Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on defense for the Cleveland Browns' Week 8 game against the New York Jets.
Defensive Line
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| DL | Carl Nassib | 53 | 73% | 3 passes defended. |
| DL | Danny Shelton | 51 | 70% | 2 tackles, 1 assist (3 combined). 0.5 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH. |
| DL | Jamie Meder | 48 | 66% | 3 tackles, 2 assists (5 combined). |
| DL | Xavier Cooper |
26 | 36% | 1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined). |
| DL | Stephen Paea | 17 | 23% | No stats registered. |
| DL | Tyrone Holmes |
17 | 23% | 1 tackle, 2 assists (3 combined). 1 sack, 1 QH. |
After a lackluster outing against the Bengals, I thought Danny Shelton came back with a good effort against the Jets, even though he was facing a backup center. Carl Nassib's impact came down to defending three passes, which falls in the category of being a "smart" player, but is also a sign that he had to fall back because he wasn't able to get to the quarterback.
Outside Linebacker
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| OLB | Emmanuel Ogbah | 58 | 79% | 2 tackles, 4 assists (6 combined). 1 TFL, 1 QH. |
| OLB | Joe Schobert | 25 | 34% | 2 tackles, 1 assist (3 combined). 0.5 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH. |
| OLB | Cam Johnson |
21 | 29% | 1 QH. |
If there is one player we're seeing a shred of progress from on the defensive side of the ball week-by-week, it's Emmanuel Ogbah. Joe Schobert received more playing time this week and out-snapped Cam Johnson by four snaps.
Inside Linebacker
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| ILB | Christian Kirksey | 72 | 99% | 9 tackles, 3 assists (12 combined). 1 TFL. |
| ILB | Demario Davis | 49 | 67% | 2 tackles, 4 assists (6 combined). |
If memory serves me correct, this was the fewest amount of snaps that Demario Davis has had in 2016. The Jets were deploying more four- and five-receiver sets in the second half, so Cleveland had to go with an extra defensive back and chose Christian Kirksey to be the main inside backer. I know Cleveland kept getting burned on Shotgun handoffs, but I'd have to check the tape to see who was responsible for the breakdowns in defending that.
Safety
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| S | Tracy Howard |
72 | 99% | 2 tackles (2 combined). |
| S | Derrick Kindred |
62 | 85% | 2 tackles, 1 assist (3 combined). 1 pass defended. |
| S | Ibraheim Campbell | 37 | 51% | 2 tackles (2 combined). |
When I get to talking about the safety position every week, I just feel sicker and sicker. This is a position that I feel like starting over from scratch, because I can't imagine any other group being worse than this.
Cornerback
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| CB | Joe Haden |
72 | 99% | 2 tackles (2 combined). 2 passes defended. |
| CB | Tramon Williams | 64 | 88% | 3 tackles, 1 assist (4 combined). |
| CB | Jamar Taylor | 59 | 81% | 3 tackles (3 combined). 4 passes defended. |
| CB | Briean Boddy-Calhoun | 1 | 1% | 1 tackle (1 combined). |
The Browns' cornerbacks had themselves a fine first half, with Jamar Taylor breaking up several passes. In the second half, Cleveland made the strategic decision to go to some more zone coverages, which allowed Brandon Marshall to find some open seams and seemed to help get Ryan Fitzpatrick into rhythm. The Browns' cornerbacks defended a few passes well, but the Jets' receivers started hauling in tightly-contested passes. As the game wore on, then we saw a few more breakdowns, but that was in line with the rest of the team's collapse.