The Cleveland Browns finally put together a complete game in their Week 8 win over the Bengals let’s look at 3 defensive players who stood out.
It had been a long month for Cleveland Browns fans as they saw their team suffer from a four-game losing streak leaving them at 2-5 to start the season.
But at least for one night the team finally put together a great defensive and offensive effort on the same night to snap the streak. The Browns’ defense had many players step up, but here are three shined.
3 defensive players who shined for the Browns in Week 8
No. 3- Martin Emerson, Cornerback
Martin Emerson has seen his role increase in the last couple of weeks because of the injury to Denzel Ward and Monday he showed he was up to the challenge. The Bengals were without star wideout Ja’maar Chase but Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins are still really good players in their own rights.
Emerson showed exactly why the team drafted him displaying great physicality at the point of attack against the Bengals’ bigger wide receivers. The Browns’ corner allowed 7 completions on 10 targets but for a total of 27 yards and less than 3 yards after the catch. Even when the opponent completed passes on him he was quickly able to bring the play to an end.
Cornerback is one of the toughest positions to play and for Emerson to come in and hit the ground running to cover for injury the Browns must be feeling great about that pick.
No. 2- Sione Takitaki, Linebacker
The linebacker position for Cleveland has struggled so far in 2022 and has desperately been looking for someone to step up and provide a spark. Sione Takitaki was that guy against the Bengals in Week 8 as he was flying all over the field making plays every time you looked. H
e did it in coverage, against the run, and rushing the quarterback on a blitz resulting in a strip sack fumble that the Browns recovered.
Takitaki didn’t miss any tackles — which is great to see after missed tackles had plagued the defense— and he finished with nine solo tackles, two assists, and a sack. The most important part of his game was his reaction speed. Takitaki wasn’t waiting for a play to come to him he was reading and understanding at a quick rate and reacted quickly to make the play.
After the injury to Jacob Phillips, along with his struggles, the team really needed someone to step up and Takitaki turned in what might’ve been the best game of his career. If the defense can continue to get this play from the linebacker position with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah returning after the bye this defense might finally be able to put it together and win some games.
No. 1- Myles Garrett, Edge
Monday night was the kind of defensive performance you turn in if you want to be considered for defensive player of the year. Week 8 was definitely the best performance of the year from Myles Garrett and it was fun to watch. Garrett had a total of eight pressures, 1.5 sacks, five hurries, and a tipped pass that resulted in an interception.
Again tackling was an issue for the defense before Monday and Garrett finished without any missed tackles this week. Even on the plays, you don’t notice him making a splash play it was clear he has affected the Bengals passing attack all game. Joe Burrow knew that he wasn’t getting blocked and it often sped Burrow up and resulted in bad throws.
Another by-product of Garrett’s great game was the opportunities that it created for other players on the defensive line. With Garrett drawing double teams and chip blocks, the rest of the line was finally able to capitalize on less attention. The defense finished with five sacks in all and the Bengal’s offense just never looked comfortable all night long.
Now the defense must figure out a way to replicate this game after the bye but for now, fans can be pleased with this week’s performance.