Coming into Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens, the Cleveland Browns’ defense had been completely amazing against the run. Jim Schwartz’s charges had allowed just 56 yards and no touchdowns on 14 carries, for a 2.6 yards per carry average.
That said, Schwartz came into this game completely aware of the dangers Lamar Jackson presents as a runner.
“Because he’s one of the best athletes in the NFL that just happens to play the quarterback position,” Cleveland’s defensive coordinator said this week when asked about Jackson’s ability to break tackles on the ground. “So, if we saw running backs doing that, we wouldn’t bat an eye. We’ve got to tackle him like he’s a running back. Tackle him like he’s a wide receiver. Just because the ball is in his hand doesn’t mean that he’s still not a threat to run. So I think that probably has a lot to do with it, and we’re going to try to be physical if he does run. We’re going to try to play our game and put some hits on him and those kinds of things.
“But you got to tackle him like he’s a running back. And if you half step, if you play too cautious, or a guy like that, if he pumps you off your feet. We’re not playing good defense if you see guys leave their feet on the quarterback, right, because he’s just going to pull it and he’s going to fly past and he’s going to make a big play. So, we got to stay on our feet. We got to tackle through his midsection, and we got to get him on the ground like he’s a running back.”
So far, it hasn’t worked out that way. Jackson scored two rushing touchdowns in the first half alone.
TOUCHDOWN @Lj_Era8!!!!
Tune in on CBS / @ParamountPlus pic.twitter.com/b05XYp5sJR
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 1, 2023
TOUCHDOWN @Lj_Era8!!!!
Tune in on CBS / @ParamountPlus pic.twitter.com/b05XYp5sJR
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) October 1, 2023
