How the Browns can decelerate Derrick Henry in Week 2 – Cleveland Browns

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The Browns are touring to Baltimore to play the Ravens of their first highway recreation of the season on Sept. 14 in Week 2.
Per week after shedding to the Bengals 17-16, the Browns have the prospect to get into the win column and tally an early-season AFC North win in opposition to the 0-1 Ravens. In 2024, the Browns break up the collection in opposition to the Ravens, successful at house in opposition to Baltimore however shedding on the highway within the last week of the season.
Because the Browns get able to journey to Baltimore, listed here are three keys to the sport.
Cease RB Derrick Henry
Within the backfield for Baltimore is a 6-foot-2, 252-pound working again who Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski stated has a novel mix of pace, energy and measurement. In Week 1 in opposition to Buffalo, RB Derrick Henry ran for 169 yards and scored two touchdowns, each on runs of 30 yards or longer.
Henry had 211 yards in his two video games in opposition to Cleveland final season, together with 138 yards and two touchdowns in Week 18. Nonetheless, in Henry’s first recreation in Cleveland in Week 8, he was held to 73 dashing yards, his fifth-lowest dashing output final season.
On Sept. 14, the Browns cannot depend on one individual to take down Henry. They should observe him down in droves, not permitting him to push off defenders and acquire yards after contact.
That begins on the line of defense with gamers like DE Myles Garrett and DT Maliek Collins sealing the inside and outside of the trenches, not permitting Henry an open working lane. Within the occasion a lane does open up, their linebackers might want to cease Henry earlier than he does any extra injury. In opposition to Buffalo, Henry averaged 9.4 yards per carry, practically getting a primary down each time he ran the ball.
“This is the factor, we have to be bodily on our line of defense and at our linebacker stage, as a result of you could have an especially sturdy, extraordinarily massive working again that may go North-South,” defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz stated. “And look what occurred to Buffalo just a few instances with simply giving up these North-South lanes, and also you give that man a head of steam it is powerful in your protection.”
Set up the run recreation
Whereas Cleveland’s protection might be attempting to cease Baltimore’s run recreation, the Browns’ offense wants to ascertain the run recreation. In Week 1 in opposition to Cincinnati, the Browns had been restricted to 49 dashing yards within the recreation, getting two yards per carry.
G Joel Bitonio stated that the offensive line missed some assignments and did not get hats on hats, resulting in the working lanes getting congested. In consequence, working backs like Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson could not get previous the second stage and the Browns longest run of the day ended up being 5 yards.
In opposition to Baltimore, not permitting defensive linemen to go unblocked is essential. The Ravens’ protection allowed 3.5 yards per carry in opposition to the Payments in Week 1, selecting up the place they left off final yr with their run protection. Final season, the Ravens allowed a league-low 80.9 dashing yards per recreation.
Baltimore’s run protection will give Cleveland a problem if the offensive line cannot open up lanes for the working backs. The run recreation must be profitable to assist the offense open up and make the protection deal with each the run and the cross recreation.
“For us to play properly, we’ve to have the ability to run the ball higher than we did in week one. We’ve to carry out higher as gamers,” Stefanski stated. “We’ve to present them a greater plan. As coaches, you must pressure a bit bit extra. You need to use method a bit bit extra. It is all of the little issues that add as much as being an enormous factor while you discuss having dashing success.”
Browse images of the Cleveland Browns training at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they put together for his or her Week 2 matchup in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens.
Working again Quinshon Judkins (10) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Defensive sort out Mike Corridor Jr. (51) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Huge receiver Jamari Thrash (80) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Defensive sort out Mason Graham (94) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Defensive finish Myles Garrett (95) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Defensive sort out Maliek Collins (96) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Security Grant Delpit (9) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Tight finish David Njoku (85) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Tight finish Blake Whiteheart (86) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Defensive sort out Mike Corridor Jr. (51) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Working again Quinshon Judkins (10) and Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Huge receiver Isaiah Bond (16) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Huge receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Tight finish David Njoku (85) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Working again Quinshon Judkins (10) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Working again Ahmani Marshall (39) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Defensive finish Cameron Thomas (99) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Tight finish Harold Fannin Jr. (44) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Huge receiver Isaiah Bond (16) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Defensive Assistant Zach Dunn throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Tight finish Harold Fannin Jr. (44) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger (52) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Security Grant Delpit (9) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Tight finish Brenden Bates (82) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Defensive finish Myles Garrett (95) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Tight finish Blake Whiteheart (86) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Huge receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Security Rayshawn Jenkins (5) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Huge receiver Gage Larvadain (84) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Defensive finish Cameron Thomas (99) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Tight finish Brenden Bates (82) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (11) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Defensive sort out Shelby Harris (93) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Working again Dylan Sampson (22) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Offensive sort out Dawand Jones (79) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Huge receiver Cedric Tillman (19) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Defensive again Jarrick Bernard-Converse (20) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Middle Luke Wypler (56) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Offensive sort out Jack Conklin (78) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Assistant Offensive Line Coach Ben Wilkerson throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Middle Ethan Pocic (55) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger (52) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Defensive again Jarrick Bernard-Converse (20) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Huge receiver Cedric Tillman (19) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 10, 2025.
Defensive finish Ok.J. Henry (58) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (11) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Working again Quinshon Judkins (10) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Middle Luke Wypler (56) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Working again Raheim Sanders (35) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throughout observe at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 11, 2025.
Win the turnover battle
Though the Ravens misplaced their Week 1 recreation, they put 40 factors on the board and showcased their high-powered offense. In Week 2, the Browns might want to restrict the alternatives of the Ravens’ offense by forcing them to show the ball over.
Baltimore was up 40-32 in opposition to the Payments with 3:10 left within the fourth quarter when the Payments’ protection compelled Henry to fumble, giving the ball again to Buffalo. The Payments went down and scored to get inside two factors earlier than they finally kicked a area aim to win 41-40. The turnover performed an element within the win, stopping the Ravens from working the clock down.
Takeaways had been a uncommon prevalence for the Ravens final season, turning the ball over 11 instances in 2024 and rarely giving opponents further possessions. This season, the Browns’ protection has made it certainly one of their objectives to extend their takeaways, particularly their interceptions, after having 4 interceptions and 12 complete takeaways within the 2024 season. After not getting one in opposition to the Bengals in Week 1, the Browns’ protection is aiming to make the Ravens’ offense make a mistake in Week 2.
“On the whole, simply getting takeaways is hard however we’ve to discover a strategy to take it away,” CB Denzel Ward stated. “Pretty much as good as we play, there’s nonetheless extra issues that we may get higher at and a type of areas is takeaways. We performed properly, performed respectable on this previous recreation, however we’ve to take that ball, so we did not play ok.”
By getting takeaways, it helps the Browns win the turnover battle; nevertheless, successful the battle additionally takes the Browns’ offense enjoying a clear recreation as properly. Giving the Ravens further possessions, particularly a Ravens’ offense that averaged greater than 30 factors per recreation in 2024, is vital for the Browns to maintain or take the lead.
In Week 1, QB Joe Flacco threw two interceptions – one within the third quarter and the second with lower than two minutes left within the fourth quarter that ended their last offensive drive. They know the significance of securing these passes to restrict offensive giveaways, working all through the week to appropriate these errors.
“We simply acquired to proceed to construct the rhythm and the timing with the remainder of the group,” offensive coordinator Tommy Rees stated. “That counts for Joe as properly to guarantee that we proceed to construct the rapport, to sync up a few of these performs which can be actually near hitting, that simply discovered a strategy to not final Sunday.”
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