Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams offense will have their work cut out for them on Sunday afternoon when they face the Cleveland Browns, who boast the No. 1 defense in the NFL. Cleveland has allowed the fewest passing yards, the second-fewest touchdown passes and the second-lowest net yards per pass attempt in the NFL, giving up less than 200 yards passing in seven of their 11 games thus far.
The man in charge of the Browns’ top-ranked defense is Jim Schwartz, someone Stafford is familiar with. Schwartz was the Lions’ head coach in 2009 when Stafford was drafted first overall and they spent five years together in Detroit.
Stafford was obviously in the early part of his career during that time and Schwartz’s scheme has likely changed over the years, but Stafford’s familiarity with the Browns’ defensive coordinator should at least help a little bit.
“I think they do a really nice job with their scheme,” Stafford said. “Obviously, I’m familiar with their coach on the defensive side of the ball. He is one of the best, if not the best mind out there in defense. Couple that with some guys that can get after the passer upfront in their front four and some guys that can cover on the back end. They do a really nice job. Really all phases on defense make it an uncomfortable day for the quarterback, both in what they’re giving to you look-wise and also just the challenges they present personnel-wise as well.”
Stafford has a lot of respect for Schwartz, who’s in his first season as the Browns’ defensive coordinator and is a strong candidate to win Assistant Coach of the Year for the job he’s done in Year 1.
“Yeah that was early on in my career. Those were my first I think five years, it was, in Detroit. Obviously enjoyed playing for him,” Stafford said. “Was grateful for the opportunity. Obviously, he believed in me enough to draft me and bring me in there, had some great times. Obviously, made the playoffs for the first time in a long time in Detroit when we were there and did some good stuff. A lot of respect for him as a coach and a person. Always a tough battle going up against him and his defenses.”
Stafford called Schwartz a “really smart guy” who not only looks at things from an analytical perspective, but also “feels the game, as well.”
“As a coordinator, I think he does a nice job of just kind of seeing what’s going on out there and then calling it from his gut,” he added. “So like I said, presents a big challenge for us both personnel and scheme wise.”
During his career, Stafford has faced Schwartz three times: twice when he was the Eagles’ defensive coordinator and once when he was with the Bills. In his two games against the Eagles, Stafford went 2-0 with four touchdown passes and 381 total yards passing. Those games came in 2016 and 2019, so both while Stafford was a member of the Lions.
In 2014, he faced the Bills when Schwartz was Buffalo’s defensive coordinator, a game Stafford and the Lions lost, 17-14. In that one, Stafford threw one touchdown pass and one interception, throwing for 231 yards on just 18 completions.
Schemes change and there were obviously different defenders on each of those teams, but Stafford has had some success against Schwartz in the past.
