Grading the Cleveland Browns defense for their epic performance in Week 6

The Cleveland Browns defense entered Sunday’s contest as the stingiest unit in the league in terms of yards allowed. They left Sunday’s contest not only as the No. 1 defense in that category but are now also on a truly historic pace through five games. The Browns are now allowing a mere 200.4 yards per game, 60 yards better than the next closest team.

Jim Schwartz’ defense didn't get off to their typical fast start against the San Francisco 49ers. The Browns won the coin toss and elected to defer and put their elite defense on the field first. However, the 49ers marched straight down the field, aided by 30 yards of penalties, and scored a touchdown in only five plays.

But then, as it typically does, water found its level. Cleveland's defense put the clamps down and made the 49ers offense work for every single blade of grass for the remainder of the game. Schwartz put his players in the best position to succeed, and then the players executed the plan.

When the dust settled, the Browns held the vaunted 49ers offense to 215 total yards and 17 points. For perspective, coming into the contest the 49ers were averaging 402.6 yards per game and a league-best 33.4 points per game. If the league was not already aware, they are on notice now; there is something special brewing in Cleveland this season.

Grading the Browns defense Week 6 performance

Coaching: A+

If there was a higher grade than A+ that could be assigned to Jim Schwartz and his assistants, they would receive it for what transpired in Cleveland Browns Stadium in Week 6. From the uptick of man coverage to the brilliant utilization of personnel, Schwartz was in his bag against the 49ers. But that should not come as a surprise to anyone who pays attention to the scores.

Schwartz has virtually owned every Kyle Shanahan offense he has ever coached against. In Schwartz’ nine contests against Shanahan as a play caller, the defensive coordinator has left victorious in eight of them. In fact, Schwartz' defense has only given up on average 15.8 points per game against Shanahan and a shockingly low 319.4 yards per contest.

While a vast majority see Shanahan as an offensive schematic wizard, Schwartz just sees another guy that about to catch an L.

Defensive Line: A

This was a masterful performance that started on the inside and then spread to the outside. Dalvin Tomlinson was erasing the line of scrimmage and then redrawing it in the Niners backfield with regularity on Sunday. Jordan Elliott was taking Tomlinson’s lead and constantly redirecting ball carriers at the line of scrimmage.

Myles Garrett was Myles Garrett. Although he did not record any sacks on the afternoon, Garrett was a straight-up menace as usual and was giving All-Pro Trent Williams the business. Everything I just said about Garrett also applies to Za’Darius Smith, who altered Brock Purdy’s confidence to stand in the pocket with the first hit he delivered.

But what really made the Browns hard to deal with on the edge was their ability to sub in Ogbo Okoronkwo and Alex Wright without a drop-off in the level of play. Okoronkwo in particular stood out in his reps on Williams when he was relieving Garrett, beating the All-Pro with twice inside rip moves that, on one occasion, forced a hold from Williams.

In total, the Browns pressured Purdy a staggering 19 times on only 36 dropbacks, and the Browns defensive line was responsible for the bulk of those pressures.

Linebackers: A

If the football-viewing world does not who Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is, then they are about to learn today. JOK is a heat-seeking playmaker who possesses elite range and versatility. On Sunday, against the 49ers JOK had all of his elite traits on full display, registering five tackles, three tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits to go along with a sack.

Fellow starter, Anthony Walker was forced to leave the game early and enter the concussion protocol. Starting SAM backer, Sionne Takitaki stepped up in Walker’s place and helped JOK thwart the Niners run game. The remaining snaps at linebacker were filled by the Browns Swiss Army safety, Grant Delpit who did not come off the field for a single defensive snap Sunday.

Secondary: A+

To watch the Browns secondary play man coverage is a thing of beauty. But to play against this cornerback room when they are playing man coverage is stifling, suffocating, and incredibly frustrating. On the afternoon, Brock Purdy was only able to complete 44% of his passes for a meager 107 net passing yards.

There were no free meals for the 49ers in the passing game. Martin Emerson snagged his first career interception, which also happened to be Purdy’s first interception on the season. Denzel Ward was his typical self, becoming a virtual shadow for any receiver who was unlucky enough to be lined up across from him. Lastly, Greg Newsome further cemented himself as the best slot defender in the league again on Sunday.

Overall Defensive Grade: A+

We are witnessing the birth of something that has the potential to be historic. This defense is setting records in the modern era, which is something that just does not happen on that side of the ball in this era. You would have to go back over 50 years to find a unit that has surrendered fewer yards through the first five games of a season.

They get an overall A+ and a gold star sticker for what they were able to do to Shanahan’s 49ers offense. I have no notes for Jim Schwartz and this defense, and if this keeps up, I might have to start awarding extra credit.