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Cleveland Browns: Keys to victory in week 15 trip to Buffalo

By Jonathan Goehring

Dec 11, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan (right) and his brother assistant head coach/defense Rob Ryan look on from the sideline during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at New Era Field. The Steelers beat the Bills 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan (right) and his brother assistant head coach/defense Rob Ryan look on from the sideline during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at New Era Field. The Steelers beat the Bills 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Sean Davis (28) dives to try and make a tackle on Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) during the first half at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers safety Sean Davis (28) dives to try and make a tackle on Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) during the first half at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Third down defense has been a major struggle for the Browns for several years now. Defensive coordinator Ray Horton‘s scheme does not usually call for a whole lot of pass rush. Cleveland surrendered eight third-down conversions last week, and had just 15 opportunities to take position back.

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Unfortunately, there is no other way for the Browns to get off the field than to rush seven. Obviously, their secondary is inexperienced and thin, so in some ways it would make sense to help them out as much as possible. But contrary to common thought, the way to do this is not always to send all four linebackers into pass coverage. The best way to assist the secondary is by manufacturing a strong and consistent pass rush.

The troubling trend that the Browns have allowed to manifest has been a non-existent pass rush, which gives opposing quarterbacks far too much time to pick apart even a highly populated secondary. The time for desperation has come, which means that the Browns will just have to bring the house and ask questions later.

Outside linebackers Emmanuel Ogbah and Jamie Collins will be critical in this one, coming from the edge to collapse the pocket on a mobile quarterback. Carl Nassib will also be a player to watch, as he has been a pass-rushing threat, even with just 1.5 sacks on the year.

The benefits of pass rush go beyond sacks. If the Browns are able to hurry Buffalo quarterback Tyrod Taylor on multiple occasions, they will force incompletions. Plus, with three deep threats in Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, and Marquise Goodwin, forcing the ball out of Taylor’s hands quickly is one way to make this aspect of Buffalo’s game a non-factor.

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