CLEVELAND, Ohio -- This piece isn’t about me. It’s kind of Browns-centric, but isn’t everything? Truthfully, this is about you. The Football Insider subscriber.
On Wednesday morning I asked cleveland.com’s loyal Browns fan base (our Football Insider subscribers) this question.
“Hey, it’s Ellis. I’m trying to decide whether “Defenses win championships” in the NFL. The Browns have a great opportunity to test that theory this season. So, two quick questions. First, do you think defense wins championships? Second, do the Browns have a championship-caliber defense, why or why not?”
A lot of responses later, I’m beyond impressed. The quality of answers we received proves why the Browns have some of the most dedicated, researched and passionate fans in football. I’ll share some of them throughout this piece. But first, I’m going to answer my own question.
I do think defenses win titles. One of my top five favorite Super Bowls came on Feb. 3, 2019. Bailey’s Cafe in Saratoga Springs, New York was packed. By the time the fourth quarter started, most were bored.
The game sat tied at 3. The Rams’ high-powered offense looked lame versus Bill Belichick’s Patriots. But Wade Phillips did Tom Brady as if he was a bench-warming underclassman at Michigan. Who remembers the GOAT’s first pass attempt that evening? Google it. Or I’ll tell you. Interception.
However, there was a silent minority at Bailey’s Cafe sitting mesmerized. What happens when an immovable force (Superman) meets an unstoppable object (Batman)? Well, Patriots vs. Rams Super Bowl LIII showed us.
The team with the better offense eventually wins. Just like Batman nearly spearing Clark Kent with kryptonite, Brady finally punctured the Rams’ top three defense by unleashing Gronk. Josh McDaniels and Brady ran the same play on consecutive downs before Rob Gronkowski grabbed a deep pass down the left sideline. James White walked in for a touchdown shortly after and New England won 13-3.
Last season, the Browns ranked 10th in passing DVOA and seventh in rushing. (Per Football Outsiders, DVOA measures a team’s efficiency by comparing success on every single play to a league average based on situation and opponent.)
Watch both those numbers improve this year. Add in a completely remade defense and the prompt becomes clear. Does defense win championships? The Browns are about to find out. Let’s react to some comments from our Insiders.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is introduced during the Baker Mayfield ProCamp. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Insider subscriber comments: Defenses are essential to championship teams, but they can’t be the primary reason like they once were. A defense being “championship caliber” is predicated on having a championship caliber offense.
This response inspired this piece. It really made me think. When I contemplate whether or not a championship defense depends on killer offense, I wonder what that says about the 2020 Browns.
If Cleveland scores on their last drive vs. Kansas City then Joe Woods’ unit defends the Chiefs at a championship level. Instead, the Browns punted with four minutes remaining while on their own 32, and lost.
With Odell Beckham Jr. back, an even better Baker Mayfield and Year 2 under Kevin Stefanski, the Browns have a championship caliber offense.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield hands off to running back Nick Chubb in the first half during their AFC Divisional Playoff game, January 17, 2021, at Arrowhead Stadium. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Insider subscriber comments: No, in NFL these days it’s “a top 10 defense allows your offense to win championships.” On paper, our defense should definitely fit that top-10 status, but the days of the defense carrying teams to championships is over, need an offense that can score 21+ against a top 10 defense.
Another nice point. Last season, the Browns won 10 games when notching 21 or more. Three times they lost. One time it didn’t matter how many points Cleveland scored because Lamar Jackson diced the defense, regardless.
Against the Chiefs they scored 17, while holding Chad Henne and Patrick Mahomes to 22. Recently during the playoffs, Kansas City plays like a top-10 defense. Therefore, this Insider subscriber remains right.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney shows how close teammate DE Malik McDowell (L) beat his opponent in a competition to see who hits the blocking sled pad first off the snap during minicamp, June 17, 2021, in Berea. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Insider subscriber comments: Yes, offense scores points but defense wins championships. The Browns defense is unproven with so many new people stepping in. Will they jell and play inspired unselfish D or will they point fingers and play for themselves and personal glory? They definitely have the potential to be a championship defense but now they must make that potential their characteristic.
This comment ends it. Sure, Tampa Bay signed Brady and won the championship but the Bucs sacked Patrick Mahomes three times and hit him nine times in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs scored just nine points while Brady hung 31 and Gronk scored twice.
I’m not worried about these new Browns defenders playing selfishly, but chemistry matters. Mary Kay Cabot heard Mayfield say so on Wednesday.
For Cleveland to win a Super Bowl, the Browns must slow Mahomes, beat Josh Allen and crack Lamar Jackson. A championship caliber defense does that.
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