The Browns defense asks fans questions about Jim Schwartz going forward for the first time in team history.
The Houston Texans dismantled the top-ranked defense in the NFL, the Cleveland Browns. Even though the players bear a large portion of the responsibility, it’s hard to avoid challenging defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
When it mattered most, Schwartz and the defense were still without an answer as the Texans capitalized on numerous plays that have hurt the Browns throughout the season.
The Browns’ ability to make the playoffs was largely due to their defense, which is very deserving of praise for what they have accomplished this season. This is not a call for Schwartz to be let go. That’s ridiculous.
But will this defense be ready to face offenses that can match their defensive line, outmaneuver man coverage, and successfully use misdirection to gain numerical advantages when the Browns don uniforms once more in 2024? Teams they will have to be able to defeat in the postseason.
The defensive front’s lack of success against the Texans’ offensive line was a major contributing factor to many of the Browns’ issues. An offensive line that frankly shouldn’t be able to play that well against the Browns. The Browns defense is powered by their defensive line, and throughout the game, it wasn’t operating at full capacity.
Even though it is a huge letdown, that can’t be the entire game. Not with this defense supposed to be that good. The Browns had trouble handling movement.
The Browns defense plays with such aggression that the Texans were able to create explosive plays because the defensive backs’ eyes were frequently in the wrong place.
For instance, the defensive line had nothing to do with Nico Collins’ touchdown-scoring wide receiver screen. The Texans were able to outnumber them and open a route to the end zone because the entire defense was playing the other way.
In that case, the X’s and O’s were no better than the players. Additionally, there are instances in which the offense simply chooses the best play for the circumstance.
These issues are not brand-new. The Browns encountered these problems when playing the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, and Indianapolis Colts.
Skilled coordinators directing offenses led by seasoned quarterbacks who were aware of the Browns’ strategies and had prepared responses for both pre- and post-snap situations.
Following a few early drives of discomfort, C.J. Stroud appeared to be an experienced quarterback. Under the direction of offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik—who, on the strength of this performance alone, could earn a head coaching position—Stroud devised strategies that penalized the defense for errors.
Schwartz also needs to figure out why all those games were played away from home. Defense is meant to travel easily, but this year that hasn’t happened at all.
The Browns showed that they are capable of controlling games when Schwartz’s aggressive defense is effective. When it isn’t, though, Schwartz needs to provide more effective responses. All of the Browns’ opponents, particularly those in their division, will be able to attend these games.
How many of them are able to take advantage of these flaws is still to be seen, but the winners of the game are the ones who are unable to. The Browns defense needs to adjust more skillfully than it did in this contest.
Perhaps Schwartz has something similar planned for year two. Continuity is beneficial. In addition to personal growth, players with more experience in this defensive scheme ought to be more capable of handling some of the circumstances that caused them difficulties this year.
To remain competitive and rank among the best in the league, the Browns defense’s Xs and Os must adapt to the talent on the field. And given that Schwartz has been in this position for thirty years, it is fair to wonder if he is prepared to change as innovative offenses find new ways to exploit his defense.
It’s unsettling to hear things like this from Myles Garrett.
The Browns players were unable to win this game with their performance. There is no denying that reality. Simultaneously, will the Browns make it back to the postseason the following season, maybe with an even more potent offense, only to stumble again on defense and be told that Schwartz had only one strategy and it didn’t work?
The Browns don’t have to reinvent themselves defensively. They must make it larger. Should Schwartz refuse to comply, there’s a good chance the Browns find themselves in this predicament once more the following season, possibly losing in the regular season or postseason.
Considering how lopsided this game ended up being, hopefully Jim Schwartz isn’t satisfied to dismiss it as a bad effort rather than an obvious indication that the defense needs to adjust.
