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Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on defense for the Cleveland Browns' Week 7 game against the Tennessee Titans.
Defensive Line
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| DL | Emmanuel Ogbah | 58 | 81% | 2 tackles, 3 assists (5 combined). 1 QH. |
| DL | Myles Garrett | 57 | 79% | 3 tackles, 1 assist (4 combined). 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH. |
| DL | Trevon Coley | 53 | 74% | 1 tackle, 2 assists (3 combined). |
| DL | Danny Shelton | 37 | 51% | 1 tackle, 2 assists (3 combined). |
| DL | Nate Orchard | 19 | 26% | 1 tackle (1 combined). |
| DL | Jamie Meder | 17 | 24% | 1 tackle (1 combined). |
| DL | Caleb Brantley | 15 | 21% | 2 tackles (2 combined). 1 TFL. |
| DL | Carl Nassib | 14 | 19% | No stats registered. |
| DL | Larry Ogunjobi | 3 | 4% | 1 assist (1 combined). |
Notes:
- This was another great game for the Browns’ run defense (and the defense in general). The Titans came in as one of the best rushing teams in the NFL, but Cleveland held them to 2.5 YPC on the afternoon. Derrick Henry could get nothing going, as he had 13 carries for 13 yards (1.0 YPC).
- We definitely saw a full workload for Myles Garrett, who played 57 snaps (79%). As I suspected, though, he didn’t fare too well against standout LT Taylor Lewan. His one sack keeps his streak going, but it was as cheap as you can get with Marcus Mariota sliding down once no one was open. Garrett also had two offsides penalties.
- Per PFF, Larry Ogunjobi had one stop in two run snaps, and Caleb Brantley added two in his eight run snaps. It seemed a bit odd that Ogunjobi had just 3 snaps all game, but the run defense still succeeded without him.
Linebacker
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| LB | Christian Kirksey | 72 | 100% | 8 tackles, 9 assists (17 combined). 1 TFL, 1 pass defended, 1 FF. |
| LB | Joe Schobert | 72 | 100% | 5 tackles, 4 assists (9 combined). |
| LB | Jamie Collins | 71 | 99% | 3 tackles, 2 assists (5 combined). 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QH, 1 pass defended. |
| LB | B.J. Bello | 3 | 4% | No stats registered. |
Notes:
- I still think this group has a lot to prove, but collectively, the Browns’ linebackers played their best games of the season. Christian Kirksey had 11 tackles at halftime and finished with 17 tackles. Kirksey and Jamie Collins each made a play in coverage, which is better than allowing perfect passer ratings.
- The PFF darling this week was Joe Schobert, who “easily played his best game of the year” with a grade of 88.4. He was credited with five run stops and three stops in the receiving game.
Cornerback
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| CB | Jamar Taylor | 69 | 96% | 2 tackles, 1 assist (3 combined). 1 pass defended. |
| CB | Briean Boddy-Calhoun | 69 | 96% | 3 tackles, 1 assist (4 combined). 2 passes defended. |
| CB | Mike Jordan | 34 | 47% | 1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined). 1 pass defended. |
Notes:
- Despite the Browns being without Jason McCourty, I had faith in Jamar Taylor and Briean Boddy-Calhoun stepping up to the plate, and they both delivered.
- Per PFF, Boddy-Calhoun graded out to an 84.9, allowing 1 catch on 3 targets for 14 yards. Taylor graded out to an 84.4, allowing 1 catch on 3 targets for 8 yards.
- Mike Jordan stepped up as the third cornerback and had a key breakup late in the game going one-on-one against Eric Decker.
Safety
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Player | Plays | % | Stats |
| S | Ibraheim Campbell | 69 | 96% | 2 tackles, 2 assists (4 combined). 1 FR. |
| S | Derrick Kindred | 60 | 83% | 6 tackles, 1 assist (7 combined). 1 TFL. |
Notes:
- With Jabrill Peppers out, the Browns appeared to have their most stable game at the safety position all season. Ibraheim Campbell played the majority of the game, with Derrick Kindred also getting a good workload.
- Both players were highly-touted by PFF for their performances. Campbell (84.5) played the deep role and was not targeted all game in coverage. Kindred (82.1) had three run stops.
—
It’s a shame the Browns’ stellar defensive performance wasn’t rewarded, but I hope Gregg Williams uses this came as a blueprint moving forward: more of Boddy-Calhoun, and less of Peppers...but when Peppers returns, find a unique role for him like he was drafted for. He can’t use the excuse that no one else can play the deep safety role, because Campbell just did it.