Browns Defense: From Disaster to Dominance in Week 16 vs. Bills
For the first three drives of Sunday night’s game, the Cleveland Browns' defense looked completely outmatched. The Buffalo Bills marched down the field with ease, racking up 209 yards and three touchdowns before the first quarter was even in the books. It was the kind of start that had all the makings of a long night for Cleveland.
But then, something flipped.
Over the next seven Buffalo possessions, the Browns allowed just 50 total yards. That’s not a typo - 50 yards across seven drives.
It was a stunning turnaround, and one that gave Cleveland a chance to claw back into a game that looked like it might spiral early. Let’s break down how the Browns’ defense, piece by piece, responded in Week 16.
Defensive Line: Quiet Game from Garrett, Big Effort from the Interior
Myles Garrett was on the field for nearly every snap (49, 98%) but had one of his quieter outings statistically - just an assist, a half sack (credited on a Josh Allen stumble near the end zone), and a QB hit. Buffalo’s game plan clearly involved getting the ball out fast, often targeting the right side with quick throws that limited Garrett’s ability to disrupt.
Still, even in a “down” game, his presence was felt. According to PFF, he graded out at 63.8 - seventh-best on the defense.
The interior, however, told a different story.
Mason Graham continued to impress, playing 42 snaps (84%) and earning the second-highest defensive grade on the team (74.5). He logged a tackle and assist, but his impact went beyond the box score.
Shelby Harris was right behind him, playing 80% of the snaps and recording three combined tackles. Maurice Hurst, despite seeing the field for only eight plays, also graded well - rounding out the top three defenders per PFF.
That trio’s performance says a lot about Buffalo’s struggles to hold the interior line.
Alex Wright chipped in with 34 snaps (68%) and added two assists, a half sack, and two QB hits. That’s the kind of rotational production Cleveland needs to keep the front fresh. The rest of the group - Adin Huntington, Cameron Thomas, Isaiah McGuire, Keith Cooper - saw limited action and didn’t register on the stat sheet.
Linebackers: Schwesinger Leading the Charge
Carson Schwesinger is quietly becoming a rock in the middle of this defense. He was on the field for every defensive snap (50) and filled up the stat sheet: 12 total tackles (4 solo, 8 assists), a sack, a tackle for loss, and two QB hits.
That’s a full day’s work. He was also the fourth-highest graded defender on the team (71.5), continuing a strong stretch of play.
Devin Bush was also heavily involved, playing 92% of the snaps and posting nine combined tackles. While not as flashy as Schwesinger’s line, Bush’s presence helped stabilize the second level.
Jerome Baker saw increased usage (22 snaps, 44%), but struggled. He finished as the lowest-graded defender (28.8), with issues in both run defense and coverage. That’s a tough look for a veteran trying to carve out a role late in the year.
Mohamoud Diabate contributed in a rotational role (19 snaps, 38%) and added four combined tackles. He continues to show flashes as a depth piece.
Secondary: Mixed Bag at Safety
Ronnie Hickman continues to be a steady presence in the back end. He played every snap and tallied six combined tackles. While he didn’t make any splash plays, he held his ground and avoided the big mistakes.
Grant Delpit, on the other hand, had a rough outing. He played 48 snaps (96%) but finished with just four combined tackles and graded as the second-lowest defender on the team (35.4).
He struggled across the board - run defense, tackling, and coverage. Delpit’s been a bit of a rollercoaster this season, and this week was one of the dips.
Rayshawn Jenkins and Christopher Edmonds saw minimal action (4% and 8% of snaps, respectively) and didn’t register any stats.
Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Defenses
What we saw from Cleveland’s defense in Week 16 was a classic case of in-game adjustment. The first three drives were brutal - no pressure, no resistance, and no answers for Buffalo’s attack.
But from that point on, the Browns flipped the script. The defensive line, especially the interior trio of Graham, Harris, and Hurst, began winning battles.
Schwesinger anchored the linebackers with another standout performance. And while the secondary had its ups and downs, the unit as a whole settled in and made life difficult for Josh Allen and company.
The Browns didn’t win the game, but this defensive turnaround was a big reason they had a shot. If they can bottle up what worked in those final three quarters - and get a little more from their stars like Garrett and Delpit - this defense can still be a problem for anyone in the AFC.