The most telling stat of how well the defense played is perhaps best told by Andrew’s stat line.
It’s empty — literally. Andrews, a two-time Pro Bowler who entered Week 7 tied with Kansas City’s Travis Kelce for the most receiving yards among tight ends this season, was held without a single catch for the first time in his career since 2018. He was targeted twice, and his only production on the day came on a 4-yard rushing play.
The credit belongs to the linebackers — Jacob Phillips, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Sione Takitaki and the newly-acquired Deion Jones — as well as the safeties for keeping Andrews under wraps. Without Andrews, Jackson struggled to find other open receivers, leading to a season-low nine completions on 16 attempts.
“We know he’s one of Lamar’s favorite targets,” S Grant Delpit said. “Just try to take him away, if anything. Just key on him and know they’re trying to give him the ball.”
The defense also created a turnover in the final minutes to give the Browns a chance to win, which is the type of timely play they’ve been searching for all season.
Owusu-Koramoah punched the ball loose from Ravens RB Justice Hill with three minutes left when Baltimore advanced down to Cleveland’s 24-yard line. The strip was his second this season and fourth of his career and would’ve been highlighted as a more important play if the Browns managed to find the end zone or kick a field goal on the next drive.
The offense did both, but an offensive pass interference penalty on Amari Cooper brought back what would’ve been a 34-yard touchdown, and a false start called on the Browns turned a 56-yard field goal attempt into a 60-yard attempt from Cade York that was blocked.
“It’s frustrating,” Takitaki said. “I know we did some great things out there. We just have to find a way to finish.”
The defense moved ever-so slightly from No. 31 to No. 28 in the league in points allowed, and they’ll have to continue to make strides without one of the aforementioned linebackers.