Our Offense Vs. Their Defense: Cleveland Browns

The New Orleans Saints are returning to action after a bye week with more questions than they had to start the season. Now, this matchup with the Browns serves as a litmus test for the changes that were made during the bye, not just for the coaching staff but for the entire organization.

This game against the Browns is a really intriguing matchup for the offense because this defense is exactly what the Saints need to face right now. The Browns’ biggest weakness on defense is rushing yards allowed. Cleveland ranks 24th in rushing defense in the NFL, surrendering 126.9 yards per game and 4.68 yards per carry. Just last week against the Steelers, the Browns allowed 200 rushing yards.

Everyone knows the Saints have had issues running the ball, and now, with C.J. Donaldson suffering an injury, that only compounds their rushing problems. But there may be some hope after all.

The Saints have added Audric Estime back to the roster, claiming him off waivers. Estime showed a lot of promise at the end of last season, when the Saints were struggling to run the ball, and throughout the preseason. It caught a lot of people off guard when the Saints opted to release him before the season started, but he’s back now and will be a welcome addition come Sunday afternoon for an offense that is averaging only 86 rushing yards per game and ranks 28th in the NFL.

Running the ball will be very important in this game because if the Saints become one-dimensional, it will play right into the hands of the Browns. Cleveland currently has the sixth-best defense against the pass, allowing only 196 yards per game.

The Browns have been so successful in pass coverage because they have an elite interior pass rush. Mason Graham, Maliek Collins, and Adin Huntington have combined for 11 sacks. Quarterbacks cannot step up into the pocket against this defensive front, and there is consistent pressure off the edge from Isaiah McGuire, who has 3 sacks, and Jared Verse. Verse has 0 sacks right now, but he is still an edge rusher the Saints have to be aware of.

The Saints are averaging only 229 passing yards per game, which ranks 14th in the NFL. If the Saints get into the red zone, they have to convert. Cleveland allows touchdowns on 73.9% of opponents’ red-zone opportunities, while the Saints are converting only 52.2% of theirs.

While Jordyn Tyson is trying to make his way back onto the playing field, Chris Olave remains one of the best receivers in the league. Over the past few weeks, his production has dipped a bit because of the attention he receives, and this week will be no different. Kellen Moore will have to find creative ways to get him open because Olave will be matched up against Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell. The Browns’ cornerbacks are very physical, and Moore will have to find ways to counter that.

To win this game, the Saints will have to run the ball against this weak run defense and keep the offense balanced. They have to commit to a decent number of rushing attempts. This will help slow down Cleveland’s pass rush. The Browns have 21 sacks, with 11 coming from the interior. Run at them and slow down their pass rush!

The Saints have allowed 15 sacks so far this season, and Tyler Shough is already fighting through broken bones in his non-throwing hand.

Run the ball, protect Tyler Shough, and get creative. Design plays that get your playmakers in space and work in concert with the running game. Use motions, shifts into different formations, and heavy run-action plays. Make this defense play with its eyes and not its instincts.

Will the Saints come out of this game looking like they have improved, or will it just be more of the same? Hopefully, the changes that were made will lead to better results this week.

How do you think the Saints’ offense will handle this Browns defense? Do you feel good about the changes that were made during the bye week?