<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\nYes, Ward can cover a player like St. Brown. However, the Browns have been hesitant with the idea of frequently exposing Ward to the slot. It also incentives an opponent like Detroit to force Ward into the slot and then run right at him.<\/p>\n
It seems more likely if the Browns want to dedicate a corner to follow St. Brown, it would be\u00a0Greg Newsome II<\/a><\/b>. He’s a little bigger and he has the familiarity of playing in the slot, having done it the past few seasons. That would allow Newsome to\u00a0follow\u00a0St. Brown wherever he goes.<\/p>\nAt that point, the main concern is the Lions trying to use rub concepts or otherwise force the secondary to trade responsibilities. For situations when Ward is on the outside of Newsome, trading responsibilities would fine. Ward could then pick up St. Brown in a position the Browns are comfortable. The concern is what happens in a situation where the Lions force a trade on the opposite side of the field. The Browns could potentially activate someone like\u00a0Dom Jones<\/a><\/b>\u00a0to play on the outside this week. He might be a matchup the Browns are fine with against rookie\u00a0Isaac Teslaa<\/a><\/b>. They could also deploy Jarrick Bernard-Converse to play outside who isn’t as big but offers good athleticism.<\/p>\nIf the Browns want to stick with matchups, they could then have Ward focus on\u00a0Jameson Williams<\/a><\/b>.\u00a0Grant Delpit<\/a><\/b>\u00a0is going to be focused on trying to limit tight end\u00a0Sam LaPorta<\/a><\/b>. Motion and trading could prove effective for causing the secondary of the Browns problems, but it does take time. Time for the pass rush of the Browns to potentially get home rushing\u00a0Jared Goff<\/a><\/b>.<\/p>\nThe Browns could come out with Harden in the slot, just to see how the Lions decide to attack their defense. However, if St. Brown\u00a0is going to live in there, they will likely adjust quickly. Theoretically, Harden could just try to jam him off the line of scrimmage with safety help over the top. It seems more likely the Browns will want to keep their safeties free to focus on a more general approach.<\/p>\n
Aidan Hutchinson<\/h2>\n
The Browns have what they are describing as a ‘fluid’ situation at right tackle. They hope\u00a0Jack Conklin<\/a><\/b>\u00a0can be healthy enough to return to play this week and stabilize the unit. If he can’t go, it’s the best of several bad choices. KT Leveston was inserted into the lineup last week after\u00a0Dawand Jones<\/a><\/b>\u00a0left the game against the Packers with what has been revealed to be a season-ending injury. Leveston is a talented run blocker but was miserable in pass protection.<\/p>\nThe Browns had signed tackles\u00a0Tyre Phillips<\/a><\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Jordan Miles<\/a><\/b>\u00a0to their practice squad last Tuesday. This week, when the Browns put Jones on injured reserve, they then signed\u00a0Thayer Munford<\/a><\/b>\u00a0from the practice squad of the\u00a0New England Patriots<\/a><\/b>.<\/p>\nThis is a bad place to be against any opponent. The Browns will be facing off against\u00a0Aidan Hutchinson<\/a><\/b>, who has been arguably the best left end in the league.<\/p>\nThe Browns are already incentivized to run the ball as effectively as possible.\u00a0Quinshon Judkins<\/a><\/b>\u00a0has been able to hit the ground running, generating explosive plays for the offense. Unfortunately, Hutchinson is an excellent run defender in addition to being an impact pass rusher. The Browns will try to run the ball, but will ultimately find themselves in positions where they have to pass.<\/p>\nThe Browns cannot reasonably expect the right tackle to be named to singlehandedly block Hutchinson in that scenario. They will likely want to slide their protection to the right to try to aid against Hutchinson. The problem is that\u00a0Al-Quadin Muhammad<\/a><\/b>\u00a0has been an effective edge rusher on the other side. That does create some issues, especially given the limited mobility quarterback\u00a0Joe Flacco<\/a><\/b>\u00a0now offers.<\/p>\nAs a result, the Browns will likely use tight ends, backs and receivers to try to chip Hutchinson, potentially both ends. That could be helpful for the tackles trying to block. It could also open up some play-action passing opportunities. The Browns could use chip release plays to try to get quick pass options in the flats. They might also hope to screen the Lions to slow down their rush.<\/p>\n
This becomes far more viable if the Browns can have consistent success running the ball. That could then limit the ability of the Lions to get defenders to take away the flats. If the Lions follow how other teams have played, they will keep their safeties back to prevent the Browns from taking shots down the field. The result could be some opportunities at the intermediate levels of the field. The Browns had and missed several opportunities in that area of the field against the Packers. They need to be far better this week.<\/p>\n
<\/h3>\nPenei Sewell<\/h2>\n
The Browns have faced some talented offensive linemen, but none on the level of Lions right tackle\u00a0Penei Sewell<\/a><\/b>. He’s a talented pass protector. The Browns have enough talent on their defensive line in order to generate pressure on Goff elsewhere. The problem with Sewell is just how impactful he is as a run blocker. The Browns have had the best run defense in the league, but Sewell is arguably the best run blocking offensive lineman in the NFL.<\/p>\nAlong with rookie right guard\u00a0Tate Ratledge<\/a><\/b>, the Lions can run concepts like duo and effectively bulldoze the competition. The Browns defensive line has been great this year, but they aren’t all terribly big. Having two linemen who are at least 320 pounds coming off the ball quickly are a challenging matchup.<\/p>\nMason Graham<\/a><\/b>, as an example, has been a benefit to the interior of the Browns for run defense, but he has had trouble in situations where opponents can get on him quickly. Graham’s strength has been his ability to get off the ball quickly and generate momentum to maximize his power. Combined with effective hand usage and pad level, he’s been able to cause havoc for opponents. When Graham has had issues, it’s been in short yardage situations where opponents crowd the line of scrimmage, fire off the ball and lean on him.<\/p>\nIsaiah McGuire<\/a><\/b>\u00a0is a good run defender. Dating back to last season, he’s been one of the better edge defenders in this area of the game. That helps, but it’s still going to be a daunting challenge as he’s giving up over 50 pounds to the hulking Sewell. Pad level is going to be critical as the Browns try to short circuit the running game. They will likely employ slants. They could even try to cut Sewell.<\/p>\nMore than anything, the Browns will be counting on their linebackers to take care of the situation and try to limit big plays. The defense will need to swarm when they diagnose the run and be precise on their angles to try to limit the impact of the backs running behind Sewell. The speed of\u00a0Jahmyr Gibbs<\/a><\/b>\u00a0is the main threat, but\u00a0David Montgomery<\/a><\/b>\u00a0showed against the\u00a0Baltimore Ravens<\/a><\/b>\u00a0that he must be respected as a big play threat as well.<\/p>\nLamar Jackson is a uniquely problematic player against the Browns defense because every so often he will just decide to be unbeatable. From a team perspective, the\u00a0Detroit Lions<\/a><\/b>\u00a0might be the most daunting set of matchups they will face. If they can dominate this group, they should be able to play with anyone.<\/p>\n
Yes, Ward can cover a player like St. Brown. However, the Browns have been hesitant with the idea of frequently exposing Ward to the slot. It also incentives an opponent like Detroit to force Ward into the slot and then run right at him.<\/p>\n
It seems more likely if the Browns want to dedicate a corner to follow St. Brown, it would be\u00a0Greg Newsome II<\/a><\/b>. He’s a little bigger and he has the familiarity of playing in the slot, having done it the past few seasons. That would allow Newsome to\u00a0follow\u00a0St. Brown wherever he goes.<\/p>\n At that point, the main concern is the Lions trying to use rub concepts or otherwise force the secondary to trade responsibilities. For situations when Ward is on the outside of Newsome, trading responsibilities would fine. Ward could then pick up St. Brown in a position the Browns are comfortable. The concern is what happens in a situation where the Lions force a trade on the opposite side of the field. The Browns could potentially activate someone like\u00a0Dom Jones<\/a><\/b>\u00a0to play on the outside this week. He might be a matchup the Browns are fine with against rookie\u00a0Isaac Teslaa<\/a><\/b>. They could also deploy Jarrick Bernard-Converse to play outside who isn’t as big but offers good athleticism.<\/p>\n If the Browns want to stick with matchups, they could then have Ward focus on\u00a0Jameson Williams<\/a><\/b>.\u00a0Grant Delpit<\/a><\/b>\u00a0is going to be focused on trying to limit tight end\u00a0Sam LaPorta<\/a><\/b>. Motion and trading could prove effective for causing the secondary of the Browns problems, but it does take time. Time for the pass rush of the Browns to potentially get home rushing\u00a0Jared Goff<\/a><\/b>.<\/p>\n The Browns could come out with Harden in the slot, just to see how the Lions decide to attack their defense. However, if St. Brown\u00a0is going to live in there, they will likely adjust quickly. Theoretically, Harden could just try to jam him off the line of scrimmage with safety help over the top. It seems more likely the Browns will want to keep their safeties free to focus on a more general approach.<\/p>\n The Browns have what they are describing as a ‘fluid’ situation at right tackle. They hope\u00a0Jack Conklin<\/a><\/b>\u00a0can be healthy enough to return to play this week and stabilize the unit. If he can’t go, it’s the best of several bad choices. KT Leveston was inserted into the lineup last week after\u00a0Dawand Jones<\/a><\/b>\u00a0left the game against the Packers with what has been revealed to be a season-ending injury. Leveston is a talented run blocker but was miserable in pass protection.<\/p>\n The Browns had signed tackles\u00a0Tyre Phillips<\/a><\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Jordan Miles<\/a><\/b>\u00a0to their practice squad last Tuesday. This week, when the Browns put Jones on injured reserve, they then signed\u00a0Thayer Munford<\/a><\/b>\u00a0from the practice squad of the\u00a0New England Patriots<\/a><\/b>.<\/p>\n This is a bad place to be against any opponent. The Browns will be facing off against\u00a0Aidan Hutchinson<\/a><\/b>, who has been arguably the best left end in the league.<\/p>\n The Browns are already incentivized to run the ball as effectively as possible.\u00a0Quinshon Judkins<\/a><\/b>\u00a0has been able to hit the ground running, generating explosive plays for the offense. Unfortunately, Hutchinson is an excellent run defender in addition to being an impact pass rusher. The Browns will try to run the ball, but will ultimately find themselves in positions where they have to pass.<\/p>\n The Browns cannot reasonably expect the right tackle to be named to singlehandedly block Hutchinson in that scenario. They will likely want to slide their protection to the right to try to aid against Hutchinson. The problem is that\u00a0Al-Quadin Muhammad<\/a><\/b>\u00a0has been an effective edge rusher on the other side. That does create some issues, especially given the limited mobility quarterback\u00a0Joe Flacco<\/a><\/b>\u00a0now offers.<\/p>\n As a result, the Browns will likely use tight ends, backs and receivers to try to chip Hutchinson, potentially both ends. That could be helpful for the tackles trying to block. It could also open up some play-action passing opportunities. The Browns could use chip release plays to try to get quick pass options in the flats. They might also hope to screen the Lions to slow down their rush.<\/p>\n This becomes far more viable if the Browns can have consistent success running the ball. That could then limit the ability of the Lions to get defenders to take away the flats. If the Lions follow how other teams have played, they will keep their safeties back to prevent the Browns from taking shots down the field. The result could be some opportunities at the intermediate levels of the field. The Browns had and missed several opportunities in that area of the field against the Packers. They need to be far better this week.<\/p>\n The Browns have faced some talented offensive linemen, but none on the level of Lions right tackle\u00a0Penei Sewell<\/a><\/b>. He’s a talented pass protector. The Browns have enough talent on their defensive line in order to generate pressure on Goff elsewhere. The problem with Sewell is just how impactful he is as a run blocker. The Browns have had the best run defense in the league, but Sewell is arguably the best run blocking offensive lineman in the NFL.<\/p>\n Along with rookie right guard\u00a0Tate Ratledge<\/a><\/b>, the Lions can run concepts like duo and effectively bulldoze the competition. The Browns defensive line has been great this year, but they aren’t all terribly big. Having two linemen who are at least 320 pounds coming off the ball quickly are a challenging matchup.<\/p>\n Mason Graham<\/a><\/b>, as an example, has been a benefit to the interior of the Browns for run defense, but he has had trouble in situations where opponents can get on him quickly. Graham’s strength has been his ability to get off the ball quickly and generate momentum to maximize his power. Combined with effective hand usage and pad level, he’s been able to cause havoc for opponents. When Graham has had issues, it’s been in short yardage situations where opponents crowd the line of scrimmage, fire off the ball and lean on him.<\/p>\n Isaiah McGuire<\/a><\/b>\u00a0is a good run defender. Dating back to last season, he’s been one of the better edge defenders in this area of the game. That helps, but it’s still going to be a daunting challenge as he’s giving up over 50 pounds to the hulking Sewell. Pad level is going to be critical as the Browns try to short circuit the running game. They will likely employ slants. They could even try to cut Sewell.<\/p>\n More than anything, the Browns will be counting on their linebackers to take care of the situation and try to limit big plays. The defense will need to swarm when they diagnose the run and be precise on their angles to try to limit the impact of the backs running behind Sewell. The speed of\u00a0Jahmyr Gibbs<\/a><\/b>\u00a0is the main threat, but\u00a0David Montgomery<\/a><\/b>\u00a0showed against the\u00a0Baltimore Ravens<\/a><\/b>\u00a0that he must be respected as a big play threat as well.<\/p>\n Lamar Jackson is a uniquely problematic player against the Browns defense because every so often he will just decide to be unbeatable. From a team perspective, the\u00a0Detroit Lions<\/a><\/b>\u00a0might be the most daunting set of matchups they will face. If they can dominate this group, they should be able to play with anyone.<\/p>\nAidan Hutchinson<\/h2>\n
<\/h3>\n
Penei Sewell<\/h2>\n