How Jim Schwartz’s defense has propelled the Browns to an unlikely playoff berth

The Cleveland Browns offense has started five quarterbacks, hasn’t had star running back Nick Chubb since Week 2, is without their top three offensive tackles for the season, and leads the NFL in turnovers. In just about any other season of Browns football, this is a one-way ticket to a top-10 draft pick. And yet, the 2023 Browns qualified for the highly competitive AFC postseason field with a week to spare.

While the Joe Flacco resurrection has been a remarkable story in itself, the season-long performance of Cleveland’s defense is the primary reason they’ve pulled off an improbable 11-6 record.

Don’t let the modest 13 ranking in points allowed ranking fool you; the Browns have an elite defense. After firing defensive coordinator Joe Woods at the end of last season, Cleveland hired Jim Schwartz, who won a Super Bowl as DC of the Philadelphia Eagles. The former Detroit Lions head coach fielded top-10 units in Philadelphia, Tennessee, and even his one season in charge of the Buffalo Bills’ defense.

Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II told The Athletic that in Schwartz’s first team meeting, he said they were “gonna lead the NFL in these three things: effort, passion and swag.” We don’t have any swag metrics handy, but they certainly lead the NFL in many other categories.

Cleveland’s defensive dominance was most pronounced at home, where they allowed only 125 points in 9 games and went 8-1. Only the Baltimore Ravens (28) and Jacksonville Jaguars (27) were able to score more than 20 points at Cleveland, and both teams scored multiple touchdowns on drives starting in Browns territory after a turnover. Even the San Francisco 49ers juggernaut was held to just 17 points and a paltry 3.4 yards per play.

The hallmark of a great defense is making bad offenses look worse, which the Browns accomplished repeatedly. The Clayton Tune-led Arizona Cardinals and Ryan Tannehill-led Tennessee Titans were limited to a combined 3 points and 152 total yards of offense.

Cleveland has the 28th ranked offense by DVOA, by far the worst of any of this year’s playoff teams. If the Browns defense was merely above-average and not in contention for best in the NFL, it’s a near certainty that they would’ve already been in offseason mode.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski is deservedly among the candidates for Coach of the Year, but Schwartz should at least be a finalist for Assistant Coach of the Year given what his group has accomplished.

While pass-rushing extraordinaire Myles Garrett is undoubtedly the cornerstone of this defense, and could win his first Defensive Player of the Year award at next month’s NFL Honors, he’s far from a one-man show.

Much credit belongs to the Browns’ front office, led by general manager Andrew Berry, for its ability to find defensive talent throughout the NFL Draft. Third-year linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has emerged as one of Cleveland’s breakout stars, finishing the regular season 4th among all defensive players in tackles for loss (20). The promising secondary features fourth-year safety Grant Delpit, sixth-year standout corner Denzel Ward, plus up-and-coming corners Martin Emerson Jr (2022 third-round pick) and Greg Newsome II (2021 first-round pick). Collectively, opposing quarterbacks targeting the cornerback trio have completed only 52% of their passes for 5 touchdowns and 8 interceptions on the season. Fourth-year defensive tackle Jordan Elliott has seen his playing time reduced compared to last season, but he’s top-10 in ESPN’s Run Stop Win Rate metric.

Cleveland also revamped its once-maligned defensive line through free agent signings and trades. Veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith was acquired for a pair of fifth-round picks, and he’s second on the team in sacks. Former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson signed a four-year deal with Cleveland, and he’s No. 2 in Run Stop Win Rate while commanding a high rate of double teams. Ex-Houston Texan Ogbo Okoronkwo has posted a career-best 12 tackles for loss (3rd most on the team) in a rotational role.

The Browns’ depth has been tested across multiple positions, including at safety, where the likes of undrafted rookie Ronnie Hickman and undrafted second-year player D’Anthony Bell have entered the starting lineup for injury reasons.

Cleveland is by far the No. 1 defense by DVOA at home, but their ranking dips down to No. 9 on the road. Barring some all-time craziness, they’re not getting another home game this season. Their five worst performances in terms of total Expected Points Added (EPA) have all been road games, albeit with one of them in a meaningless, backup-laden Week 18 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals. They dominated the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in their regular season meeting, but C.J. Stroud did not play due to a concussion.

The Browns’ run defense, while considerably improved from recent seasons, is not spectacular. They’re among the league’s worst in rushes allowed of more than 10 yards, and have had a major problem with missed tackles turning into big yards after contact.

Cleveland has allowed just 42 red zone trips, the best mark in the NFL, but it’s also allowed red zone touchdowns at a league-worst 71.4% clip. The Browns offense’s propensity to turn the ball over and give the opposition the ball inside the Cleveland red zone has not helped matters.

Lastly, the injury bug that’s plagued Cleveland’s offense has also been prevalent on defense. Delpit will not be back for Saturday’s Wild Card game against the Houston Texans due to a groin injury, Denzel Ward hurt his knee in Thursday’s practice and is questionable to play, and in recent weeks they’ve placed linebacker Anthony Walker and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst Jr on season-ending IR.

The Browns may be long shots to reach the Super Bowl, but they have a Super Bowl-caliber defense that gives them the ability to compete against anyone.