Browns defense a part of history in Week 18 vs Bengals

The Cleveland Browns’ defense could have crumbled a few weeks ago, but instead, they stepped up in the final two weeks of the season, playing as hungry as you can get for a once- 3-12 team, to finish with two straight wins. Things were a little rough early on against the Bengals, but they, despite being banged up mid-game at the cornerback position, they stuck through things. The two defensive touchdowns on back-to-back drives helped key a 20-18 victory.

Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on defense for the Cleveland Browns’ Week 18 game against the Cincinnati Bengals

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Defensive Line

• What a great, feel-good moment for Myles Garrett, the team, and the fans, when he got the nice jump mid-way through the fourth quarter to sack Joe Burrow. I’ve never had my eyes glued to one player the past two weeks on TV than I have Garrett, because I wanted, in real time, to spot where he was and see if I could see the sack coming. He came close a few times, but when he got that jump, I knew the play would be a sack — it was just whether someone else would touch him down first for the credit. Thankfully, it was Garrett. What a moment.

• Garrett was PFF’s top-graded defender this week, despite that being his only stat of the game (although if you dig into PFF’s stats, he also had 7 hurries). Garrett received a grade of 90.0 from PFF.

• The rest of the defensive line was graded as below average this week, with Mike Hall (29.8) and Shelby Harris (47.5) struggling at the defensive tackle position, more so in run defense.

Linebacker

• With Carson Schwesinger out, Mohamoud Diabate and Jerome Baker got some more reps. Devin Bush led the team with 14 tackles to finish a very strong season, and was the Browns’ fourth-highest graded defender by PFF this week, grading out to a 78.3. He had a pick six for a touchdown off of a deflection.

• There have been many weeks this season in which Baker, despite limited reps, has made an impact on the game. He was the team’s third-highest graded player this week, grading out to an 84.4. as he also forced a fumble that led to a touchdown.

• Diabate’s PFF grade wasn’t so kind, as he was brought down by missing 3 tackles.

Cornerback

• Denzel Ward exited the game early to injury, and Tyson Campbell was out initially but seemed to play a little after that. D’Angelo Ross and Sam Webb did what they could in relief. Webb’s big play came on a fumble recovery that he took back for a touchdown, but he was also credited for 2 missed tackles.

• Ross had two passes defended, even though he gave some catches up. He was the top-graded reserve cornerback this week, grading out to a 63.4.

Safety

• Grant Delpit missed a couple of tackles, but was still the team’s fifth-highest graded player by PFF, grading out to a 78.3, as he was assisted by his pass-rushing efforts.

• Ronnie Hickman received the second-highest grade on defense from PFF (84.6), having two pass breakups and nothing completed on him.