Cleveland Browns: 3 Takeaways from Week 1 Tie vs. Steelers

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns Defense Came to Prove A Point Sunday

This is what makes the 2018 Browns so dangerous. Yes, there was no Bell in the Steelers lineup, but did they really need him? No. 2 Pittsburgh running back James Connor ran the ball 32 times for 144 yards. As a team, the Steelers rushed the ball 35 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns.

However, a closer look will reveal how great the Browns’ defense played.

How many teams can say they intercepted Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger three times in a game? Yes, the secondary is young and will learn on the fly, but when you have to face wide receivers Antonio Brown on one end and JuJu Smith-Schuster and still hold the Steelers offense to just 21 points, that’s considered a victory.

As far as the front seven, there was pressure all game. EDGE Myles Garrett got to Big Ben twice as the team registered three sacks, but the pressure allowed the Browns cornerbacks to play the receivers tight. Rookie Denzel Ward, in his first regular-season game, picked off two Roethlisberger passes.

If the defense can continue to grow and clean up a few coverage mistakes, the chase for the AFC North just got tougher.

Next Page: No QB Controversy

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