CLEVELAND, Ohio – Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz minces no words or defensive coverages. Whether he’s calling a blitz or calling out a mistake, you know it. And in a world of disguised coverages and secretive press conferences, you might call Schwartz’s approach “old school.”
But during the Browns’ 24-10 win over the Raiders on Sunday, I’d call it just what Cleveland needed.
When the world tuned in to watch rookie Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (11-20, 209 yards one touchdown, one eye-popping throw, one ugly interception) make his first start, they learned the Browns still have a darn good defense. Cleveland logged 10 sacks, one fumble recovered and six forced punts against the Raiders on Sunday.
True, quarterback Geno Smith missed open receivers. And Smith’s offensive line played poorly in the loss. Can’t overstate that last part.
But you also can’t praise Cleveland’s defense (or its coach) enough for summoning the drive to compete amid an ugly season.
The Browns ranked third in defensive success rate entering Sunday’s game, and they were one of just three teams in the top 10 (Vikings, Jets the others) to enter the week with a losing record. Bad teams rarely have good defenses, and not just because most teams take better advantage of players like Myles Garrett.
Losing can breed laziness, especially in a league where physicality rules.
If a defender knows a bad offense will waste his best efforts, he might slow down when chasing open-field runners or pull back when confronted with a violent collision. To risk your body knowing that former Browns starters Joe Flacco and Dillon Gabriel will fumble (sometimes literally) the good field position you afford them is to define insanity.
But these Browns are just crazy enough to keep pushing.
In the two weeks since a crushing loss to the Jets, during which the defense committed “embarrassing” (Schwartz’s words) game-clinching penalties, this defense has forced as many turnovers (three) as it has allowed touchdown drives against the Raiders and Ravens. Las Vegas misses blocks and open receivers, as we’ve discussed. And even the Ravens’ offense has looked off since quarterback Lamar Jackson returned from a hamstring injury (I said returned, not fully recovered).
But good defenses accentuate your flaws. And even though Cleveland’s offense has more than most, Schwartz’s unit keeps fighting like a playoff berth is at stake.
Rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger, who entered this week ranked 15th in tackles, missed the memo that said this season is already over. Same goes for veteran leaders like Maliek Collins (2.5 sacks on Sunday) and Grant Delpit (five tackles).
Stars like Denzel Ward (two pass breakups) and aliens like Myles Garrett, who broke his career high for sacks in a season (18 and counting) during Sunday’s Week 12 win, set the tone every week.
But behind them is a straight-shooting coordinator who fuels their performance despite a lackluster offense (which punted four more times and committed two more turnovers in its own right on Sunday).
Colorado coach Deion Sanders, former NBA player Matt Barnes and rapper Flavor Flav arrived at Allegiant Stadium to watch Sanders start his first game. But Schwartz treated them to a defensive clinic along the way.
Call him blunt, intentional or old school if you like. But the Browns would call Schwartz indispensable.
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Jimmy Watkins is a columnist for Cleveland.com. He provides unique perspectives and intricate reporting on our local teams and their rivals. He joined us in November 2022 as the rivalry beat writer, and his...more
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