Browns defense isn’t a cupcake and presents stiff challenge for Las Vegas Raiders

With a league-leading 15 sacks and 22 tackles for loss heading into Sunday’s Week 12 matchup inside Allegiant Stadium, the Las Vegas Raiders are going to have their hands full with Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett.

The defensive end is the tip of a long spear that’s the Browns defense. While Cleveland may sport a similar 2-8 overall record like Las Vegas, the Browns defense is no cupcake and presents a stiff challenge for Chip Kelly’s Silver & Black offense.

Garrett, the imposing 6-foot-4, 272-pound 29-year-old, amassed 10 sacks the last three weeks alone — five against the New England Patriots, one against the New York Jets, and four this past Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens — and powers a Browns defense ranked second overall in yards allowed (2,735) and 18th in points allowed (234). Jim Schwartz’s defense ranks first in passing yards allowed (1,670) and 14th in rushing yards given up (1,065). Thus, Garrett does merit maximum attention.

That said, the Raiders must contend with what’s around and behind the supremely talented defensive end. Garrett’s tag team partner at end, Alex Wright, doesn’t have the prolific sack numbers but he’s making stops behind the line of scrimmage with nine to go along with 24 total tackles and four sacks. And rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger has the range and IQ to make plays all over the field as he leads Cleveland with 85 total tackles with eight stops for loss, 1.5 sacks, and is tied for the team lead two interceptions.

Fellow linebacker Devin Bush Jr. also got in the takeaway mix with a 23-yard interception return for a touchdown last Sunday against the Ravens — Cleveland’s lone touchdown in that 23-16 loss the Browns sustained. Safety Ronnie Hickman has two interceptions on the year (tying Schwesinger for the team lead) while fellow safeties Grand Delpit and Rayshawn Jenkins each have a pick, with cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell each have an interception.

Facing interception/tip-prone Raiders quarterback Geno Smith, the Browns are likely champing at the bit to add to their 14 forced turnovers on the season.

Kelly and Co. have their work cut out for them as the Raiders’ 30th ranked offense (in terms of points scored; 155, 15.5 points per game average) is ranked 21st in third down conversions (47 0f 124; 37.9 percent) and 30th in red zone touchdowns (12 touchdowns on 26 visits; 46.2 percent). The Browns defense is stout on third downs and in the red zone sporting the eighth-ranked third-down defense (46 conversions on 128 attempts; 35.9 percent) and seventh-ranked red zone-defense (15 touchdowns allowed on 29 trips; 51.7 percent).

I was going to start out by noting Las Vegas would be wise to slide pass protection/blocking over to Garrett, however, we’ve seen the team not do this against Denver Broncos rusher Nik Bonitto and the linebacker racked up 1.5 sacks, five total tackles, and two stops behind the line of scrimmage because of that in the Raiders’ 10-7 loss back in Week 10.

Kelly and head coach Pete Carroll could once again take a heavy play action approach, however, doing that and putting it on film this past Monday means Schwartz and his defense are going to be prepared for that. So a more dedicated run game along side quick passes to get the ball out of Smith’s hands as fast as possible, along with timely screen passes is a good antidote to the venom that is Garrett and crew. Las Vegas makeshift offensive line (following injuries) with Will Putnam at center is likely something that Schwartz is salivating at matching up with.

But seeing if Schwesinger and the rest of Cleveland’s defenders can keep pace with tight end Brock Bowers is an apt by the Las Vegas. And moving him all over the formation and putting him in motion is likely to increase effectiveness and participation.

But Sunday isn’t a time to get cute for Kelly and his offense. Meet fire with fire and use the speed on offense — wide receivers Tre Tucker, Dont’e Thornton Jr., and Bowers — to get the ball in space and churn out some yards after catch (YAC).

Quotes of Note:

“I thought if you look at the play action of passing game, we went up and down the field with it. We only punted three times in a game. So, I thought we moved the ball offensively. And I think Brock (Bowers) was involved in it, Geno (Smith) did a really nice job. And then it’s another way to get the balls to the running backs. I think it was Ashton (Jeanty’s) high for catches in a game. So, that’s just a part of the process, depending on who you’re playing and what you have available.”

—Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly when asked about the play action pass game

“Everything’s a rotation, and everything’s based on what we think is best for the game that week. So, all these guys, they work really, really hard, and it’s a competitive room. Whether you’re a rookie or a fourth year player, it’s just a competitive room. And then we decide what’s the best plan for the week, and then we go with that. And then in the game, we rotate guys.”

—Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham when asked about rookie cornerback Darien Porter getting more in-game reps

Head-to-head

This will be the 29th time the Raiders and Browns clash all-time. The Silver & Black lead the series 18-10 (16-10 in regular season play, 2-0 in postseason action) and ride a give-game winning streak into Sunday’s tilt. Las Vegas and Cleveland last clashed in late September of 2024 with the Raiders winning 20-16 inside Allegiant Stadium. Before that, the Raiders won the 2021 matchup 16-4, the 2020 contest 16-6, the 2018 meeting 45-42 and the 2015 tilt 27-20.