The Cleveland Browns bounced back after a tough loss to the Houston Texans by coming from behind to beat the Atlanta Falcons on a last-second field goal. It was a sloppy game for the Browns, but the team remained calm and came back to win the game with just under a minute to go. The Browns defense was able to slow down the high-powered Falcon offense, allowing just 24 points. The defense held Matt Ryan and the Falcons to just 315 yards of offense in the game. It was another solid performance by the Browns defense, improving in multiple facets from last week’s subpar game versus the Texans. So in this week’s film room, I am going to focus on the solid run defense versus the Falcons, the continuing impressive pass coverage, and the play of the game by Joel Bitonio.

Take a seat and enjoy this week’s defensive film room. After you have read through my thoughts on this week’s game, let me know what you saw from the Browns defense this week. Roll the tape!

Solid Run Defense

The Browns have struggled defending against the run for pretty much all season. As I wrote in last week’s film room, the Browns defense has been deficient in many aspects causing the below average run defense. Two of those biggest aspects I illustrated last week were the lack of containment and the inability of the defensive line to penetrate to the backfield. But in this week’s win, the Browns showed glimpses of improvement in both of these areas. The improvement was key in the Browns holding the Falcons to only 63 yards rushing. Here are some examples of the improvements.

Improved Contain

Keeping contain is key to defending against rushes toward outside. In the Browns defense, the assignment of keeping contain on the end of the line is most often placed on the outside linebackers. Many times this year, the players in charge of the keeping contain have been too aggressive and shot down the line losing the edge allowing rushers to go outside. In the Falcons game on Sunday, the Browns were much better at containing the Falcons running backs, allowing just 23 yards on 12 carries toward the outside of the offensive tackles. Here is an example of the improved contain.

This play was a 1st-and-10 situation midway through the second quarter. Here is how the Browns tackled running back Devonta Freeman for a four-yard loss.

The Falcons are lined up in a single back set with two receivers out wide to the left. The Falcons have an extra lineman and a tight end lined up on the right end of the line. It is a designed run to the right end of the line. The Browns have three defensive linemen down with an outside linebacker rushing on the end of either side of the line. The Browns have two inside linebackers in the box, too.

As you can see here, outside linebacker Paul Kruger does an excellent job to seal off the edge, forcing Freeman to kick out wide. Kruger is key in making Freeman go sideways rather than up field.

Kruger’s excellent push up field shut off the edge for Freeman, forcing him to keep running sideways. This gives the rest of the defense time to get to Freeman and tackle him for the loss. One player sticking to his assignment was the key to stopping the run for a loss. Containing is all about knowing your assignment and not being overly aggressive to get out of position. This is something the Browns can fix without a change in personnel or scheme.

Improved Defensive Line Penetration

The Browns defensive line has been very shaky throughout the season. Injuries up front have had a role in this below average play, but the players who have played have not been able to put pressure in the backfield to disrupt the play. The defensive line has not been able to get push or penetration to the backfield and have for the most part been very weak in staying stout to clog up the running lanes. But in this week’s game, the Browns defensive line showed glimpses of stout play even getting penetration to the backfield. Here is an example of this.

This play was a 1st-and-10 situation early in the fourth quarter. Here is how the Browns stopped running back Devonta Freeman for no gain.

The Falcons are lined up in a single back set with three receivers in a bunch in the right slot. The Falcons also have a receiver out wide to the left. The Browns have two defensive linemen in the middle of the line with an outside linebacker on the end of either side of the line. The Browns also have an inside linebacker and a safety in the box.

The penetration by defensive lineman Billy Winn was important in disrupting the running play. Winn gets to the backfield forcing Freeman to run more sideways then up field. Outside linebacker Paul Kruger also made Freeman go around because of his penetration (He also kept contain on the play!). These two players completely disrupted the running play making it develop longer giving the rest of the Browns defense the ability to get to the Freeman for the stop. As you can see in this play, penetration to the backfield is a huge factor in slowing down an opposing offense’s running attack.

The run defense was much better in this victory over the Falcons. The defenders stepped up and played stout against the Atlanta running game. But some of the improved run defense can be attributed to struggling Falcons running game. The Falcons’ rushing game this season ranks in the lower half of the league. So the Browns success in run defense this week cannot all be credited to the improvement of the Browns.

Continuing Impressive Pass Coverage

The Browns continued their very good pass coverage this week against the talented Atlanta passing game. The coverage over the last quarter or so of the season has been very good from the entire defense. The coverage by the entire secondary and linebackers has made it very difficult for the opposing quarterbacks to find receivers. The Browns defense ranks eighth in fewest receiving yards given up, tied for eighth in fewest passing touchdowns given up, and second in most interceptions. The defense has combined close coverage with defensive playmaking. Here are two examples of the great pass coverage.

This play is the first offensive play of the game for the Atlanta Falcons. Here is how the Browns were able to force an incompletion from quarterback Matt Ryan.

The Falcons line up in I-Formation to the right with a receiver out wide on either side of the line. The offense also has a tight end on the right end of the line. The route that is targeted here is the curl route by receiver Roddy White. The Browns have man coverage on every pass catcher running a route. Safety Tashaun Gipson is covering Julio Jones underneath, while linebacker Craig Robertson is in zone coverage in the middle of the field. Safety Donte Whitner is in zone covering the receivers on the right side of the field.

As you can see here, the Browns have every single target covered very closely. There is not a really great option here for Ryan, so he chooses White on the curl route.

The finish to the play makes the defense so good in pass coverage. Skrine makes a great play on the ball to bat the ball away from White. His great shadowing ability puts him in the right position to make a play on the ball.

This play is a 3rd-and-9 situation and the first play of the second quarter. Here is how the Browns forced an interception from quarterback Matt Ryan.

The Falcons are lined up in a shotgun formation with a running back to the left of the Ryan. Atlanta has three receivers on the right side of the line and a receiver on the left side of the line. The Browns are playing in a Cover Two with man coverage on every target in the passing game. The route that is targeted by Ryan in this play is the deep out route by receiver Julio Jones.

As you can see here, the five available receivers are all covered very tightly leaving Ryan only a drop off to the running back or forcing in a tight throw.

This is another great play by a Browns secondary player. Joe Haden makes an excellent play on the ball and intercepts the Ryan pass. The shadowing by Haden was so tight that he was in the right position to make a play on the ball.

The Browns pass coverage has been a combination of great shadowing and playmaking to make big plays for the team. Haden has been the true shutdown corner who got the big contract this past offseason. Skrine has looked very good lately playing tight coverage on his man. The emergence of K’Waun Williams has given the Browns three good corners to play man coverage. Justin Gilbert has played better in recent weeks, too.

The safety duo has also been very good for the Browns, especially Tashaun Gipson. His injury will be a huge loss to the secondary because of his ballhawking ability. Safety Donte Whitner will need to step up for the Browns and be the playmaker in the safety group. The linebackers, including Karlos Dansby, Craig Robertson, and Chris Kirksey, have all played pretty well in coverage throughout the season. These players make the Browns a tough team to throw against.

Joel Bitonio’s Play of the Game

As you can see here, offensive lineman Joel Bitonio comes from all the way on the other side of the field to make the saving tackle on the missed field goal. This play by Bitonio was the play of the game. It might have saved the game for the Browns and definitely gave head coach Mike Pettine a reprieve.

Defensive Highlight

The Browns defensive highlight of the game is cornerback Buster Skrine. Skrine has played very well over the last couple weeks of the season. He has really turned into a very good number two cornerback opposite of Joe Haden. On Sunday, Skrine was targeted seven times, giving up just five receptions for 34 yards, according to ProFootballFocus. On the day, he notched three tackles and two passes defended.

Defensive Lowlight

The Browns defensive lowlight of the game is the injury to safety Tashaun Gipson. Gipson has been the true playmaker for the Browns defense, leading the league in interceptions with six. He has been the Browns deep safety for the secondary, covering the backend of the defense. His lost will put more pressure on the other Browns’ secondary players to step up. He is just another loss for the depleted Browns defense.