How can the Browns defense solve the problems Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs create? Film Review

CLEVELAND, Ohio — On Tuesday I wrote concerning the issues Kansas City’s offense creates for opposing defenses. If you happen to haven’t learn that but then I counsel you do as a result of every thing from right here on is “Half 2″ in a two-part sequence titled “Stopping a cyborg quarterback: A how-to guide on containing a future G.O.A.T., two unicorns and a number of velocity demons.”

Of the various points the Chiefs current, most are tied to Patrick Mahomes’ play both inside or exterior the pocket, Tyreek Hill’s game-wrecking velocity and Travis Kelce’s everlasting residence between the numbers.

Win these three matchups (extraordinarily difficult activity, after all) and the Chiefs might get their chains tooken (or just “be overwhelmed” if I’m not utilizing my Jay-Z voice).

Let’s unpack how the Browns protection can remedy the issues Kansas Metropolis creates.

Downside: Mahomes extending performs each to throw or run

Resolution: Maintain Mahomes within the pocket and attempt to confuse him

On Wednesday’s Gotta Watch the Tape, I highlighted the plethora of issues Mahomes creates involving his toes alone. He’s as lethal extending performs trying to throw as he’s choosing up morale-crushing first downs on the bottom.

Which is why the defensive position should preserve glorious lane self-discipline and never over-rush Mahomes. Consider Cleveland’s 4 linemen like a basketball workforce taking part in zone protection. When the ball swings across the perimeter, a protection should transfer in unison to get rid of new passing lanes. If one defender is misplaced then a nook three or straightforward lane entry cross opens.

Similar goes for the D-line. By taking part in as one, the Browns can preserve Mahomes within the pocket and drive him to both throw on time or into home windows he shouldn’t.

My colleague Scott Patsko discovered an fascinating Mahomes stat. When he has 2.5 seconds or extra to throw, his completion share drops to 56 p.c. He’s thrown 5 interceptions (and 20 touchdowns … however for the sake of this train, ignore that).

Forcing Mahomes into on-schedule throws curtails his creativity and limits his explosiveness. To actually have a shot, conserving him within the pocket is a should. As soon as that’s achieved (and sustained constantly over 4 quarters), it’s time to trick his eyes.

None of this will probably be straightforward however in opposition to the Falcons in Week 16 Mahomes confronted a glance he wasn’t prepared for. Early within the fourth quarter, Atlanta performed down 4 linemen (and stood two up) whereas exhibiting a double hole blitz by their inside linebackers.

Mahomes is aware of it’s zone as a result of he motions his working again from out vast again into the formation. However he doesn’t anticipate three glorious wrinkles from Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris.

1. Atlanta drops their defensive sort out (standing up over Chiefs proper guard) into the flat, taking away Sammy Watkins’s (14) whip out on the backside. That’s a sizzling learn for Mahomes in case anybody blitzes.
2. Each the inside pressuring linebackers truly drop deep into zone protection, eliminating his deep curl and No. 3 vertical.
3. A wonderfully timed (and never tipped) slot nook blitz applies sufficient strain for Mahomes to throw to his sizzling learn. The problem is, Atlanta dropped a defensive sort out over there, keep in mind.

It’s an excellent design. Right here is how it’s drawn up.

And the way it unfolded.

By trusting tape research and understanding tendencies, the Falcons received this rep and several other extra that afternoon. The Chiefs beat Atlanta 17-14 however the Falcons led by 4 with 4 minutes to play. Mahomes accomplished 24 of 44 passes (54 p.c).

Downside: The Tyreek Hill lengthy ball

Resolution: Play two safeties over Tyreek Hill always

If you happen to be taught something from this story please let or not it’s that if the Browns line up a single nook and one excessive security in opposition to Hill (even as soon as) they’re placing themselves at huge threat of getting beat deep. Under is what occurs when a defensive coordinator trusts their No. 1 nook one-on-one with Hill.

That is no disrespect to Denzel Ward. He’s a wonderful nook who performed at a Professional Bowl degree this 12 months however solely Jalen Ramsey might problem Hill on an island and that matchup nonetheless favors Hill. Not as a result of Hill is the very best receiver in soccer. There are in all probability 10 extra full wideouts. However he’s indubitably the quickest.

Such velocity blended with Mahomes’ rocket-launcher arm creates probably the most deadly 1-2 concoction in soccer. I do know I stated nothing issues if Mahomes isn’t stored within the pocket, however that is soccer 101. Letting Hill behind you and having the Chiefs go 75 yards on one play eliminates all possibilities of profitable.

He’s the final word game-wrecker, which is why I’m assured the Browns will preserve two safeties over Hill always. When achieved routinely, it seems like this. Listen, this is identical play the Chiefs scored a 40-yard landing on in opposition to Tampa Bay.

Downside: Travis Kelce in the midst of the sector

Resolution: Sort out down on Kelce

In any case that, I have to preserve it actual. If the Browns take away Hill then Travis Kelce doubtless will “get his.” I detailed how he owns the center of the sector. Two excessive security seems naturally expose grass between the numbers. Which means, Kelce is probably going in for an eight catch, 100-yard afternoon.

Nonetheless, that’s okay so long as Cleveland limits the Chiefs’ explosive performs (which in concept two-high or Cowl 4 shells do) and sort out down on the 6-foot-5, 260-pound mismatch. Kelce is most harmful beneath when he turns a six-yard seize right into a YAC clinic.

On the play under, Kelce runs a deep over route from a conventional tight finish alignment. This preliminary catch is clearly greater than six yards however he nonetheless grabs wholesome YAC by bouncing off defenders.

What we discovered

The components for rattling the Chiefs exists. It’s a mixture of the Dolphins’, Broncos’ and Falcons’ schemes. Mahomes threw three interceptions in opposition to Miami and one versus Atlanta.

A Soccer Insider subscriber texted me saying that the Browns ran loads of Cowl 2 in opposition to Pittsburgh, one thing Cleveland hasn’t achieved a lot of this season. I haven’t had time to rewatch final week’s sport but when that’s true, it’s an excellent signal. As a result of meaning defensive coordinator Joe Woods is comfy asking his protection to execute ideas exterior their norm. Taking part in unpredictably wins playoff video games.

The Chiefs should not unbeatable. By taking part in an in depth and contemporary gameplan, the Browns have a good shot at conserving issues shut. Then simply hope Mahomes endures a barely off-target Sunday and I’ll title Half 3 of this sequence “Wow. It labored.”

Browns playoffs shirts, hats on the market: Here’s where Cleveland Browns fans can order shirts and hats celebrating the workforce qualifying for the 2020 NFL playoffs.

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