3 Browns defenders that balled out in win vs Houston

The Cleveland Browns won their fifth game of the season despite getting no help from their offense. Here are 3 defenders that stood out in Week 13.

The Cleveland Browns were able to beat Houston by 13 points despite a failure to launch by their offense. All eyes were on Deshaun Watson as he was making his Browns debut, but the defensive side of the ball carried Cleveland to victory on Sunday. It was a good mix of usual suspects and ascending talent on defense that led the charge.

There were lapses in their run defense early in the contest, as Dameon Pierce displayed why he is the Texans lone offensive threat. But the defense was able to gather themselves and stop the bleeding as the game wore on. Overall, the defensive performance could be described by an adjective that has managed to elude this unit all season: opportunistic.

The Browns defense forced three turnovers. Of those three, the defense returned two for touchdowns and provided enough points to outduel the Texans offense. It’s not how they drew it up, but a win is a win.

Here are 3 Browns defenders that balled out in Houston

Defensive standout No. 3: Grant Delpit

One of the least talked about aspects of the Browns roster has been the reemergence of Grant Delpit over the course of the last six games. Delpit was viewed as one of the more promising pieces on the Browns defense heading into the season. Although Delpit wasn’t able to pick up where he left off in 2021 (that statement also rings true for 90% of the defense), he has picked up his play in recent weeks.

Delpit’s physical presence has been felt the most in the run game. His ability to close distance and deliver a big hit at the point of attack makes a Delpit a weapon in run support. In a defense that lacks in physicality, Delpit fulfills a vital role in the back end.

On Sunday against the Texans, Delpit registered five total tackles. However, Delpit’s biggest hit won’t show up on the stat sheet. On fourth and goal from the Browns one-yard line, the Texans lined up in I-formation and ran a fake to Pierce and slipped their fullback, Troy Hairston into the flat. It was a clean look, but they didn’t account for Delpit coming off his man and folding Hairston in half when the ball arrived. It was a teaching tape type of play.

If Delpit stays on his current trajectory, he could cement himself as the lone safety on currently on this roster worth building around. With Cincinnati up next on the docket, Delpit is going to have the opportunity to show that he has shored up some of backend coverage skills to go along with his run support skills.