Browns defense isn’t to blame, but their third down defense still sucked in Week 13 vs 49ers

The Cleveland Browns’ defense was a mixed bag against the 49ers. The only drive that was really earned by the 49ers, in my opinion, came in the final seconds of the first half, when Brock Purdy took some risks to get them into field goal range. Besides that, the 49ers’ three touchdown drives began at the Browns’ 16 yard line, 32 yard line, and 18 yard line.

Now, the frustrating part on each of those touchdown drives was that Cleveland had the 49ers in 3rd-and-8, and 3rd-and-1 on the first drive, 3rd-and-2, 3rd-and-8, and 3rd-and-2 on the second drive, and then 3rd-and-5, and 3rd-and-7 on the third drive. The 49ers converted all of them — a perfect 7-of-7 on third down in those situations. Getting a stop and forcing a field goal in windy conditions could have helped keep it a bit of a closer game, even though I don’t blame the defense for the special teams and offense putting them in horrible situations.

Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on defense for the Cleveland Browns’ Week 13 game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Defensive Line

• The Browns have really been using Myles Garrett as a workhorse, as he logged his 19th sack of the season. With injuries starting to stack up on the defensive line, though, it’s going to start becoming more challenging for him to get help from his supporting cast. Garrett was the Browns’ second-highest graded player by PFF this week, grading out to a 78.6.
• Maliek Collins’ above average season is over, as he suffered a quad injury. That will give a lot more reps to Mike Hall and Sam Kamara coming up, with Shelby Harris likely maintaining his rotational role. For what it’s worth, Hall received an awful grade by PFF this week, grading out to a 28.6, with his run defense suffering significantly. Kamara, on the other hand, graded out to a 71.4, fifth-highest on defense.

Linebacker

• Another week, and another solid game from the eye test for Carson Schwesinger. For at least one week, PFF agreed, grading him out to be the Browns’ third-highest graded defender at a 75.9. His run defense and tackling were graded exceptionally well.

Cornerback

• Denzel Ward’s PFF grade was right back to being down in the dumps this week, as he was the team’s second-lowest graded defender with a 46.9. It’s an interesting year for Ward, as I really don’t feel like teams target him regularly enough, but there’s still that play or two that he’s not making each week.
• Myles Harden has continued doing a fair job as the nickelback this season. He was the Browns’ fourth-highest graded defender this week, grading out to a 74.4 by PFF.

Safety

• Grant Delpit finished with four tackles, but he had the Browns’ highest grade on defense from PFF this week, grading out to an 81.3.
• Some of the back-end reps on the depth chart came when the game was out of reach and ending.