Defensive line applies pressure in latter portion of the game
On the Bengals' opening offensive drive, QB Joe Burrow drove his offense down the field and into the end zone over a 12 play, 68-yard drive that took 7:28 off the clock. Burrow relied on HB Chase Brown throughout that first drive, eventually ending in a 5-yard touchdown run.
"We just had to figure it out and find a way to crack it open and then get me rolling," DE Myles Garrett said of the Bengals' first drive. "And I feel like one tackle can start to get my rhythm and find what works. It's really a snowball effect. And I was really inspired by the play of the other guys, making plays all across the field. Whether it was the front, it was the backers and the DB's – it was a little bit of everybody. So, I'm just happy to be able to step up in those moments. But we got to have more, and it's got to be quicker."
After the Bengals' first offensive drive, the Browns' defense began to settle in and find ways to limit their success in both the run and the pass game. Cincinnati ran a total of 49 offensive plays compared to the Browns' 71, converted 7-of-14 third-down attempts and had 11 first downs. The Bengals were forced to punt the ball six times over the course of the game.
About halfway through the fourth quarter, the Browns' defensive line turned their pressure on Burrow into sacks, recording three consecutive sacks. Garrett got off his blocks and brought Burrow to the ground on back-to-back plays, and DE Isaiah McGuire forced the Bengals to punt after her followed up with a sack of his own on Burrow.
"I kind of started a domino effect and everybody else wanted to get in on the party," Garrett said. "Zay (Isaiah McGuire), Mason (Graham). Those guys started collapsing their pocket and getting busy themselves. So, I'm happy to see them get rolling, and we just have to do a little bit sooner."
After giving up 134 total net yards in the first half, the Browns' defense gave up just seven yards in the second half. They held the Bengals to 141 total net yards, including 46 rushing yards and 95 passing yards.