Cleveland Browns: 3 defensive takeaways vs. the Atlanta Falcons

The Cleveland Browns defense looked very familiar against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday. And that may not be a good thing.

The Cleveland Browns walked off the field at FirstEnergy Stadium late Thursday night with as many unanswered questions still surrounding the defense.

While there were flashes – most notably from rookie defensive end Carl Nassib – the struggles that have plagued the Browns for years were on full display:

• The Browns could not stop the run as the Atlanta Falcons rushed for 224 yards and 5.5 yards per carry.
• The defense could not get off the field on third down, allowing the Falcons to convert on 11-of-18 attempts on third down, including three third-and-1 situations on the opening drive.
• The Browns simply could not tackle anyone when it mattered.

“On defense early, I think we’re seeing a common theme that people are starting to run the ball at us pretty good, and we need to get that shored up fast,” head coach Hue Jackson said after the game. “We obviously have to cover better. We have some work to do on our football team, offensively and defensively.”

Here are xx takeaways, some good and some not so much, from Thursday night’s game.

Next: A familiar look to the run defense