The Browns have struggled to stop the Raiders’ running game, and two reasons stand out: Film criticism

1. Get involved

According to Next Gen Stats, the Browns’ defense missed 20 tackles, resulting in 99 additional yards, the most in the NFL this year. This inability to tackle in space put the Raiders in manageable yardage situations on second and third downs. These favorable yardage situations allowed the Raiders to maintain balance in both the running and passing games. This run/pass balance prevented the Browns from strictly passing Las Vegas quarterback Gardner Minshew.

The Browns also allowed several big plays that could have been prevented by safe tackling. When it comes to tackling, commitment and fundamentals are important at every level. The Browns had a lot of effort but very little technique as they took on the Raiders.

The Browns constantly pounce on the ball carriers instead of making the safe tackle in space. As the game progresses, the Browns must get ahead of the ball carrier, keep their head up during contact, and wrap their hands completely around the offensive player when tackling.

2. Loss of gap responsibility

If tackling wasn’t the problem for the Browns on a particular play, then the loss of gap responsibility certainly was.

Jim Schwartz’s defensive system consists largely of a front-seven style of attack that relies on the penetration of the lineman and the quick downhill play of the linebackers. If they don’t penetrate, the defensive lineman must “anchor” in his gap, not move out, and double-team offensive linemen to keep the linebackers clear of blockers.

The Browns’ undersized linebackers must respond to the offensive blocking scheme and consistently move forward to avoid being zoned out or blocked. In the loss to the Raiders, the defensive linemen were frequently relieved of their gap responsibilities, causing hesitation among the second-level linebackers and defensive backs.

Below is a great overview of how the Browns lose their gap responsibilities with an 8-man front.

The Raiders use a split-zone run scheme that results in an 8-yard gain for running back Zamir White. Defensive tackle Shelby Harris lines up with guard Jackson Powers-Johnson in a wide-3 technique and is responsible for controlling the B gap. The other defensive tackle, Dalvin Tomlinson, plays right guard Dylan Parham in a 2i technique and is responsible for the A gap.

At the start of the game, Powers-Johnson shifts Harris horizontally to the left. Center Andre James steps left to help Harris when needed and then works with the linebacker. Powers-Johnson’s movement on Harris allows James to immediately get to the second level and block linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

At the same time, right guard Parham Tomlinson reaches and catches and opens the A gap. Harris needs to “anchor,” reducing movement away from the B gap and forcing center James to double-team. Tomlinson absolutely cannot be reached by right guard Parham and cannot be moved from the A gap. The combination of Harris getting pushed out and Tomlinson getting hooked creates a big hole at running back.

What we learned

The Browns’ defense in 2024 has not achieved the dominance it showed last season. In 2023, they were the best in the NFL, always excelling at the little things. Last season they were well-coordinated, focused on their specific roles and depended on each other for success. Expect Schwartz to get back to basics and help his team reach that high level of performance again.

Lance Reisland is the former coach at Garfield Heights High School, where he spent 18 seasons as an assistant to his father, Chuck, and four as head coach from 2014 to 2018. In 2018, his team finished 11-1 and appeared in the OHSAA Division II Regional Semifinals. That team went 10-0 and made history as the first Garfield Heights team in 41 years to go undefeated in the regular season stayed and defeated Warren G. Harding for the first playoff victory in school history.