4 Browns defensive standouts against Washington
Hold on Browns fans, let’s not run Joe Woods out of town just yet!
The Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders put on a 1970s-style slugfest in which defenses dominated. We saw flashes of the old Denzel Ward as he was able to shut down Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin and the Washington wide receiving corps.
Of course, to listen to the Washington fans, the Browns’ success could just as easily be attributed to the ineffectiveness of quarterback Carson Wentz, who has developed a reputation for being overrated and overpaid. Taylor Heinicke is the people’s choice at quarterback. Browns fans can identify with their Washington counterparts on this issue, no doubt.
Nevertheless, the Washington team was held to a paltry 260 yards of total offense. They had 124 passing yards and 136 rushing yards. If fans want to hang the poor passing yardage total on Carson Wentz, fine, but on the ground, they averaged just 3.7 yards per rushing attempt. Cleveland, quite simply, stopped them on the ground and shut them down through the air. What is there to complain about?
This is a team thought to be playoff caliber, from the division with the best won-loss record in the NFL. All they had to do was win out and they were going to clinch.
With that being said, let’s dive in and discuss four defenders that stood out in the Week 17 win.
4. Myles Garrett is a problem still
Myles Garrett can be cited as a defensive star in every game he plays. He gets held on virtually every play he is on the field, and he occupies two blockers on every play also. Some fans are frustrated with Garrett due to his escapades with a fire hydrant this season, which caused him to miss two games.
However, no one should question his talent or the effort he has given on the field, and especially the value of occupying two blockers on virtually every play. He still managed to apply pressure on Carson Wentz, who is both mobile and strong as an ox. Nevertheless, Garrett was able to pull him down in the third quarter as part of a called blitz.
Later Garrett and Taven Bryan combined for another sack as Wentz got into a bit of a pickle and couldn’t get out.
Garrett was also credited with four assisted tackles. All in a day’s work for the Cleveland defensive superstar.