The Baltimore Ravens’ 41-17 drubbing of the Cleveland Browns on Sunday was slightly misleading. The Ravens executed at a far higher level than the Browns and earned the win. However, Cleveland’s defense wasn’t as bad as you’d expect from a unit that gave up 41 points.
Entering Week 3, Green Bay can’t expect the Browns to roll over, and they can’t ignore the strengths of this defense.
The Ravens scored 41 points on the Browns, but consider that Baltimore had a defensive touchdown on a 63-yard scoop-and-score by Roquan Smith. Earlier in the game, the Ravens blocked a punt and took over at Cleveland’s 24-yard line, which resulted in a touchdown. Similarly, a Joe Flacco interception in the third quarter set the Ravens up at the Browns’ five-yard line, leading to another TD.
So, all in all, we’re looking at a defensive touchdown. a five-yard touchdown drive and a 24-yard touchdown drive, accounting for 21 of Baltimore’s 41 points. Box-score hunting doesn’t always tell the same tale as the tape.
Green Bay has had a hard time getting advantageous looks for Josh Jacobs in the ground game through two weeks. Jacobs has had to grind against the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders and is averaging just 3.6 yards per rush. That’s well below his 4.4 average from a year ago and his 4.3 average during his seven-year career. And he will face a tall task on Sunday.
Jeff Hafley’s defense is second in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game at 48.5. The only team doing it better than the Packers? The Browns.
Cleveland is allowing 45.5 rushing yards per game this year, which comes on the heels of an impressive job limiting Derrick Henry to 23 yards rushing and Lamar Jackson to 13 yards on 13 combined rushing attempts from the duo. Cleveland’s run defense has been phenomenal, and it starts up front.
Head coach Matt LaFleur knows it won’t be easy going against the unit for the Browns.
I think a lot of it starts with their front and it’s not just Myles. We all know what kind of player Myles Garrett is, but they’ve got a lot of guys. They’re a hard-penetrating front that causes a lot of problems for quarterbacks. I think that allows the DBs to kind of tee off on some things, but they also play aggressive man coverage, too. So it’s a really well-coached unit, and we’re going to have to have our best game offensively.
Abandoning the run isn’t the move, obviously. Finding chunk plays on the ground won’t be easy, but sticking to the ground game for balance will be key for the Packers.
Additionally, Green Bay’s offensive line will have its hands full with Cleveland’s pass rush. With or without Aaron Banks and/or Zach Tom (on Wednesday, Banks said he’s playing on Sunday), it won’t be easy.
Cleveland pressured Lamar Jackson on 44% of his dropbacks. Last year, the Browns led the league in getting pressure on the quarterback without blitzing. They did so 40% of the time.
Jordan Love was sacked twice last week, and the offensive line generally did a solid job in pass protection against the Commanders. But the Browns are a different beast.
Think of how good Green Bay’s defense has looked this year, and then consider that LaFleur noted there are similarities between the two groups.
I would say there’s similarities in regards to how hard both units play and the style of play. There’s definitely some different things from a front structure and just how these guys are an attack front, they’re going to cause a lot of penetration up front, and they’re going to try to get eight guys in the box. There’s been a lot of ugly runs on tape when going against this defense.
The addition of Micah Parsons has put Green Bay’s defense in the spotlight. Hafley’s group has delivered and then some in the first two weeks.
Because the Browns are 0-2 and struggling, their defense hasn’t gotten near the amount of attention. Don’t be fooled. It’s a really strong unit.
That doesn’t mean the Packers can’t hit on some chunk plays or that Jacobs can’t run wild. It will just require Green Bay firing on all cylinders and taking advantage of the opportunities presented.
There’s a big game looming in Week 4 in prime time against the Dallas Cowboys in Jerry World. But Green Bay can’t look too far ahead — and the offense better not overlook this Browns defense on Sunday.