Cleveland Browns studs and duds from Week 14 victory over Bengals

Stud: Sheldon Richardson

Since the Browns lost Myles Garrett to his indefinite suspension, Sheldon Richardson has stepped up big time and has been a play-maker on Cleveland’s defensive line. And he is being treated as the most critical member of Cleveland’s defensive line.

Once again playing as a defensive tackle and defensive end, Richardson was consistently making plays against the Bengals. Richardson finished the game with seven total tackles, including one sack, two tackles for loss, and one quarterback hit. Richardson’s sack came when he was lined up as the defensive end.

Richardson is in the midst of a strong three-game stretch, all of which are the games he has been used as the versatile lineman. Playing at defensive end has allowed Richardson to get in the backfield more frequently and he is now finishing plays more frequently.

Richardson may be thriving playing defensive end because he is getting more man-on-man blocking reps instead of having to deal with consistent double teams. With more single-man blocking matchups, Richardson is winning more reps.

The Browns needed someone to step up as a pass rusher in Garrett’s absence, and Richardson has done so. But he is also still making an impact against the run, which is why he has become a critical player for the Browns defense.