Browns defense makes critical defensive plays
The Browns run defense had a solid performance, as they limited the Ravens to 106 net rushing yards but gave up two rushing touchdowns. However, they struggled in limiting the Ravens passing game, as Jackson threw 13 of 23 for 223 yards and one touchdown.
While the defense had moments of faultiness on Sunday – which began with the 39-yard touchdown run from Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell – they also had pivotal defensive moments that played a role in their overall success.
DT Dalvin Tomlinson recorded the first sack of the day in the second quarter when he brought down Jackson for a loss of six yards that was overturned due to a defensive holding call. Two plays later, DE Za’Darius Smith and CB Greg Newsome II bring down Jackson for the split sack and forced the Ravens to attempt a field goal.
But then DT Jordan Elliott blocked the field goal attempt on special teams and LB Anthony Walker Jr. scooped up the ball and ran for 27 yards. That turnover eventually led to a field goal for the Browns on their next offensive drive.
“We play with that type of intensity every time,” Walker said. “[Jordan Elliott] doesn’t take a play off. A lot of guys on field goal block don’t rush hard, but we’ve got a lot of guys that rush hard, and really take that play seriously. And you never know when your time is going to be called, and he was able to make a play.”
With under a minute left in the second quarter, CB Mike Ford picked off QB Lamar Jackson’s pass that was intended for WR Rashod Bateman and returned the pick for 10 yards. It was his first career interception.
Then, with less than two minutes in the third quarter, the Browns sacked Jackson, this time with a split sack by DE Myles Garrett and LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah for a loss of nine yards. On the very next play, Garrett sacked Jackson again for a loss of nine yards to bring a close to the quarter.
The Browns topped off their defensive efforts on Sunday with a pick 6 from Newsome with 8:57 left in the fourth quarter. Newsome picked off a pass intended for FB Patrick Ricard, returning it 34 yards for the touchdown. The interception was Newsome’s first career interception. It also set the Browns up for their final offensive drive that would win the game.
“You saw a defense that was just going to go make a play however you could do it,” Stefanski said. “Whether it’s going to be rushing the passer, or balls in the air, and it belongs to us. No bigger play than Greg’s [CB Greg Newsome II] touchdown.”
The Browns defense recorded three takeaways and three sacks on Jackson. Even through some miscues throughout the game, the Browns demonstrated their resilience as a defense to work through difficult moments and make plays when it mattered.
“Wins like that define you,” Garrett said. “They help set the tone for a season and a team, knowing that there is no game that we’re out of it. So, we just got to continue to do what has gotten us here to this point of the season and continue to play the brand of football that we know we can play.”
