Browns’ defensive snap counts, stats, and notes: Week 12

Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on defense for the Cleveland Browns’ Week 12 game against the Miami Dolphins.

• Even though it was against a terrible offensive line, the Browns’ makeshift defensive line stepped up against Miami.
• Cleveland went with Sheldon Richardson as one of the defensive ends, moving him over from tackle. He had two sacks, a forced fumble, and tipped a pass.
• Chad Thomas logged two tackles for a loss, and was the Browns’ highest-graded player on defense against Miami, per PFF, with only Khalil Mack having a higher Week 12 grade among edge rushers.

• PFF was impressed with the job that Bryan Cox Jr. did against the Dolphins:

“Cox beat the Dolphins’ tackles to the outside all afternoon and could find a consistent role with Cleveland while Garrett is out.”

• Porter Gustin and Brandin Bryant, just promoted off the practice squad, each had more than 22 snaps. Cleveland did a wise thing by rotating all of their players in on the makeshift line.

• Some of it is a case of luck, but it’s also about being lined up in the right area for anticipation: Joe Schobert had 2 interceptions again, making that 4 in the past two games. he also defended a total of 4 passes on the afternoon, and is making a hell of a case for a contract extension.
• The energy of Mack Wilson continues to improve each week; it’s a shame that one of his nice stops was flagged for a helmet hit on a receiver.
• Sione Takitaki is a missile, making the most of his reps. He played a season-high 15 snaps against Miami.

• Teams are still targeting Greedy Williams quite a bit. The rookie isn’t getting torched, but it’s a high standard Cleveland has to set to win out and try to make the postseason, so that’s the only reason I point it out as much as I do. For as much as he is being targeted, I’d love to see him get comfortable at snapping his head around some more.
• T.J. Carrie had a sack and two total hits on the quarterback from his nickel spot. Once the game was out of reach, Terrance Michell replaced Denzel Ward.

• Juston Burris started in place of Morgan Burnett, and Sheldrick Redwine was the third safety. This unit has the benefit of facing the likes of Pittsburgh, Miami, and Cincinnati coming up — we’ll see how they do after that against Arizona and Baltimore.