Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on defense for the Cleveland Browns’ Week 5 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Defensive Line
Pos |
Player |
Plays |
% |
Stats |
Pos |
Player |
Plays |
% |
Stats |
DL |
Myles Garrett |
60 |
79% |
2 tackles (2 combined). 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 pass defended. |
DL |
Oliver Vernon |
54 |
71% |
2 tackles (2 combined). |
DL |
Larry Ogunjobi |
53 |
70% |
3 tackles (3 combined). 2 TFL, 1 QH. |
DL |
Sheldon Richardson |
47 |
62% |
3 tackles, 2 assists (5 combined). |
DL |
Devaroe Lawrence |
29 |
38% |
1 tackle (1 combined). 1 TFL. |
DL |
Daniel Ekuale |
22 |
29% |
1 tackle (1 combined). |
DL |
Chad Thomas |
22 |
29% |
2 tackles, 1 assist (3 combined). 1 sack, 1 QH, |
DL |
Chris Smith |
17 |
22% |
No stats registered. |
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Myles Garrett had an impactful sack that helped Cleveland get some momentum in the first half. Overall, though, the 49ers were smart about things. We saw Garrett destroy the Jets when they refused to block him more than one-on-one. And this week, we saw Nick Bosa have that same, if not better, impact against the Browns. Meanwhile, because of the 49ers’ smart run blocking scheme, Garrett was neutralized most of the game, as was the rest of Cleveland’s defensive line.
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Devaroe Lawrence nearly had another interception, but couldn’t haul in the tipped pass.
Linebacker
Pos |
Player |
Plays |
% |
Stats |
Pos |
Player |
Plays |
% |
Stats |
LB |
Joe Schobert |
76 |
100% |
11 tackles (11 combined). 1 TFL. |
LB |
Mack Wilson |
75 |
99% |
5 tackles, 1 assist (6 combined). 1 TFL, 1 pass defended. |
LB |
Adarius Taylor |
18 |
24% |
No stats registered. |
- The Browns played three linebackers more than any other time this season, as Adarius Taylor saw 24% of the snaps. I’m not sure it helped very much.
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Mack Wilson tipped a pass, which seems to be his biggest strength at this point of his young career. There are some growing pains in other areas, but Cleveland really has no other choice at the position.
Cornerback
Pos |
Player |
Plays |
% |
Stats |
Pos |
Player |
Plays |
% |
Stats |
CB |
Terrance Mitchell |
76 |
100% |
2 tackles, 1 assist (3 combined). 1 pass defended. |
CB |
T.J. Carrie |
75 |
99% |
1 tackle, 1 assist (2 combined). |
CB |
Juston Burris |
1 |
1% |
No stats registered. |
CB |
Robert Jackson |
1 |
1% |
No stats registered. |
- I don’t know if I’d say that Terrance Mitchell or T.J. Carrie did anything wrong in this game per se. Mitchell The 49ers don’t even target their wide receivers very much. However, as the 49ers kept dominating the time of possession, I found myself with wishful thinking, hoping that Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams can come back, with Mitchell/Carrie still playing big roles. The more key starters this defense has on the field, the better.
Safety
Pos |
Player |
Plays |
% |
Stats |
Pos |
Player |
Plays |
% |
Stats |
S |
Damarious Randall |
75 |
99% |
5 tackles, 3 assists (8 combined). 2 passes defended. |
S |
Jermaine Whitehead |
72 |
95% |
5 tackles, 3 assists (8 combined). 1 TFL, 1 QH. |
S |
Eric Murray |
37 |
49% |
3 tackles, 1 assist (4 combined). |
S |
Morgan Burnett |
26 |
34% |
1 assist (1 combined). |
- Despite Morgan Burnett being back from injury, he only played 34% of the snaps, splitting time with Eric Murray. Jermaine Whitehead remained in his third safety role of playing 95% of the snaps.
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Damarious Randall didn’t take a good angle on the first play of the game for the 49ers’ offense, and he had no chance of catching the back after that. Randall did defend an end zone pass later on nicely against George Kittle. PFF broke that play down here.