Browns have taken a step back defensively: Do they need to mix it up more? Inside the Numbers
Problem No. 1: Defending motion
Through three weeks, opposing offenses have used motion to stretch the Browns laterally in the run game. Motion is a great way for the offense to force the defense’s hand not only in coverage but also in alignment. It forces the defense to be disciplined and cohesive in order to plug all the run gaps on the line of scrimmage.
This is an area in which the Browns defense has struggled, and offenses have been reaping the benefits. According to Sports Info Solutions, when facing motion, the Browns run defense has ranked:
Run defense vs. motion (2024)
- 5.3 yards per rush allowed (27th)
- 0.11 EPA/rush allowed (26th)
- 37.5% first down allowed (32nd)
As you can see, the Browns have been atrocious against the run when motion is involved. But this is a continuing trend for this defense. Here’s last year:
Run defense vs. motion (2023)
4.9 yards per rush allowed (31st)
-0.06 EPA/rush allowed (16th)
24% first down allowed (21st)
The Browns defense was at the bottom of the league in 2023 at defending runs with motion. Even in a historically dominant year, the Browns defense was very poor in this area.
This is where defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has failed. Under his tenure, the Browns defense has struggled significantly against motion. Opposing offenses are going to continue to attack the Browns with motion unless this defense can learn to play with gap discipline.
Problem No. 2: Tackling
This Browns defense prides itself on being ultra-aggressive. Schwartz has preached this from the very start — not just since he was hired by the Browns but also for his coaching career. This defense has put the team on its back via turnovers and explosive plays. However, the Browns’ defensive aggressiveness has hurt them, especially to start the 2024 season.
Tackling (2024)
3.6 yards after contact per rush allowed (32nd)
11.2% missed tackle rate (23rd)
Tackling (2023)
2.6 yards after contact per rush allowed (24th)
12.4% missed tackle rate (30th)
The tackling was bad last season, and it is now bleeding into this one. The Browns defense has really struggled to rein in its aggressiveness. This has led to tons of plays of overpursuit and misalignment.
It’s why the Browns have not only struggled with tackling, but also with defending motion as well. This lack of eye discipline is a broader issue that has hurt the Browns defense in numerous ways.
Problem No. 3: Low coverage entropy
Entropy is the measure of how random a set of data is. In the context of pass coverage, it’s a measure of how much variety a defense uses. Do they mix up their play calls and disguise their coverages (high entropy) or do they more or less stick to the same things (low entropy)?
The Browns have had extremely low entropy on defense since 2023. In other words: They have been predictable.
Under Schwartz, they’ve run the most single-high-safety coverages out of anyone in the NFL. They ran it 320 times in 2023 (highest in NFL) and 64 times so far in 2024 (highest in NFL).
They have been excellent defending the pass in these coverage shells. But the lack of unpredictability has allowed offenses to take advantage with motion and playing in open space.
Playing one-high-safety coverages often means Cover 1 for the Browns, a man-to-man coverage call. Motion is a great way to combat man coverage since it forces the defense to follow the man in motion, thus creating open space.
It’s why the Browns defense has felt a bit “boom-or-bust.”
They are either seemingly making highlight-reel sacks and tackles for loss, or giving up back-to-back 15-yard runs.
The overaggressiveness is something we covered last year and the Browns paid the price for it in the Houston playoff game. With the future in focus, Schwartz must figure out how to balance his unapologetically aggressive defense with control and discipline.
