Browns have a sneaky defensive problem Derrick Henry is built to expose

Through five games, the performance of the Cleveland Browns’ defense without future Hall of Fame pass rusher Myles Garrett has been promising.

The Browns enter Week 6 ranked 13th in the NFL in EPA (expected points added), per SumerSports. That includes an epic butt-kicking in the season opener at Jacksonville.

But one area the Browns were expected to improve in — run defense — has become a sneaky concern entering a matchup with Derrick Henry and the always tough Baltimore Ravens.

Browns' run defense has quietly become a weakness through five games

Cleveland currently ranks 17th against the rush at 117.4 yards per game. That’s a slightly higher average than last year’s 116.4 yards, according to Team Rankings.

Browns fans were hoping to see better returns in that area with the addition of Jared Verse, who ranked among the league’s best last year in ESPN’s run-stop win rate. But with key injuries to Alex Wright (Achilles) and Mason Graham (knee) impacting the team’s depth up front, Cleveland has been too leaky entering a matchup with one of the best running backs in NFL history.

According to NFL data analyst Warren Sharp, the Browns’ defense is allowing an explosive rush (10-plus yards) on 16% of running back carries. That ranks worst in football. They also rank 30th in the NFL in average yards allowed after contact per rush at 3.67.

Cleveland has done a good job at limiting points. The Browns enter Week 6 ranked 12th in opponent points per play. 

But they’re surrendering a lot of yards between the 20s. Their 334.0 net yards allowed per game ranks in the bottom third of the league.

Tackling is definitely part of the issue, though it has improved since the opening two games against the Jaguars and Buccaneers. Per Pro Football Focus, Cleveland missed 23 tackles over the first two weeks of the season. It hasn’t missed more than 10 in a game since.

Derrick Henry will put the Browns' biggest defensive concern to the test

Henry will test where the Browns’ rush defense stands on Sunday.

The 32-year-old remains a major problem. He’s piled up 476 rushing yards and eight total touchdowns in five games. He ranks seventh in the NFL in yards after contact at 4.03, per Sharp.

Cleveland’s inability to run the football has been a huge topic of conversation. That plight could continue if top running back Quinshon Judkins, who missed the team’s first two practices of the week with an ankle injury, is limited physically or unable to go on Sunday.

But the crux of this game could come down to the Browns’ ability to stop Henry and the Ravens when they have the ball. Cleveland is banged up on defense entering this game, with Graham and Carson Schwesinger (ankle) looking doubtful to suit up. 

Stopping the run could be the difference between having a chance to climb to 4-2 atop the AFC North or dropping further down the standings.

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