Browns: 5 defensive takeaways from Week 2 loss

Defense needs to improve in two-minute drill

The Browns defense has now given up touchdowns within the final two minutes of the first half in each of their first games this season. A big penalty helped the Steelers score a touchdown last week and this week an interception within the final thirty seconds set up the Ravens to add more points before halftime.

The two-minute drill is among the most difficult scenarios to prepare for as it’s extremely difficult to replicate in a practice setting. Knowing this is a predominantly young and inexperienced defense makes the end-of-the-half collapses somewhat understandable. Although, that doesn’t mean it is acceptable.

These are moments that can alter the state of a game in the NFL and both games thus far proved that point. The Browns were on their way to entering halftime down by just one score, but both weeks let up additional points. The Steelers and Ravens both won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball to begin the second half.

Those choices were crucial as both team were able to shut down the Browns on their first drive, put up points before the half and start the second half with the ball and a comfortable lead.

DeShone Kizer already has enough problems with his receivers seemingly being uninterested in playing, so giving the rookie quarterback a two-score deficit to overcome is far from ideal. The defense has done a good job of preventing big plays for the most part.

Next: DPD Podcast, Week 2 recap

However, the final two minutes of the half is where they’ve struggled and the hurry-up offense has proven to be a weakness. Cleveland needs to clean this up and Gregg Williams might want to look at tweaking his approach in the final two minutes.