After a decent showing last week against the Jaguars, the Browns run game will go against another top-five run defense in the Bears on Sunday. The Bears run defense will be one of the best front sevens the Browns have seen this season.
The Browns will face the Bears, who have only allowed 1,088 rushing yards this season, which ranks second in the NFL. The Bears also only allow 3.6 yards per carry, which ranks second in the NFL. The Bears run defense has been holding their opponents to an average of just 79 yards per game.
Since DE Montez Sweat was traded to Chicago on Oct. 31, the Bears defense has performed well. As of Week 9, the Bears defense ranks fifth in total defense – allowing only 272.2 yards per game – and fifth in pass defense, allowing only 180.6 yards per game. They also rank ninth in scoring defense, allowing only 18.2 points per game. Additionally, the Bears defense is tied for second place in total takeaways with a total of 11.
"Definitely skilled pass rusher, good against the run," Van Pelt said about Sweat. "Really good player. Big, strong, physical power rusher. He's definitely helped him a ton since he's gotten there."
The Bears also have DT Justin Jones, who is second on the team in sacks with 3.5 and leads all linemen in tackles with 40. He does a good job at bringing down running backs.
However, Chicago's defensive front took a hit on Wednesday, as it was announced that DE Yannick Ngakoue is out for the season with an ankle injury. He had four sacks on the season and 25 tackles.
Check out photos of the team working to prepare for the Chicago Bears
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2023.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2023.
Cornerback A.J. Green III (38) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 13, 2023.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2023.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 13, 2023.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 13, 2023.
Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 13, 2023.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Quarterback P.J. Walker (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 13, 2023.
Defensive end Isaiah Thomas (58) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 13, 2023.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Offensive tackle Geron Christian (64) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 13, 2023.
Quarterback P.J. Walker (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 13, 2023.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Linebacker Matthew Adams (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2023.
Cornerback A.J. Green III (38) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Safety Duron Harmon (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Senior Offensive Assistant Bill Musgrave during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2023.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2023.
Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 13, 2023.
Linebacker Matthew Adams (40) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Safety Vincent Gray (31) and Defensive Quality Control Coach Jeff Anderson during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2023.
Defensive tackle Joey Fisher (65) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 13, 2023.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2023.
Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 13, 2023.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2023.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Offensive tackle Michael Dunn (68) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 13, 2023.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2023.
Quarterback P.J. Walker (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Long snapper Charley Hughlett (47) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Tight end Jordan Akins (84) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2023.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 13, 2023.
Offensive tackle James Hudson III (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 13, 2023.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 13, 2023.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2023.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Linebacker Tony Fields II (42) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 15, 2023.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Assistant Defensive Line Coach Jordan Thomas during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Safety Tanner McCalister (48) and Cornerback A.J. Green III (38) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 14, 2023.
Although the Bears present a significant threat to the Browns run game, Cleveland has faced top run-stopping defenses all season. In Week 6, the Browns went against the 49ers, who have allowed the least rushing yards this season with 1,018. In that game, the Browns rushed for 160 yards and scored a touchdown. RB Jerome Ford averaged 4.9 yards per carry and finished with 84 yards rushing. Hunt had 12 attempts for 47 yards and scored a touchdown.
Last week against the Jaguars, who ranked in the top five in rushing yards allowed, RB Jerome Ford averaged 4.3 yards per carry, and RB Kareem Hunt scored a touchdown.
In practice, the Browns have been facing their own top-ranked defense, which only allows rushing first downs 19.3 percent of the time.
"We have to dig in and make sure we are detailed in everything we do," Ford said. "I look at every defense as if they are the number one defense. Stats don't matter because, on any given Sunday, someone can step up and play like they are a top defense."
The Browns run game the past two weeks with QB Joe Flacco under center has looked different. It could continue to look different moving forward.
"Usually in RPO you will get a lighter box because everything is spread out," Hunt said. "Under center, you will have more blockers. It's a difference for sure."
Going under center limits the run packages a team can run, and the angles running backs can go. Despite the different formations, the Browns will look to succeed in the running game, which should open up the play-action.
"It's just a different approach," OC Alex Van Pelt said. "We did a lot of the same stuff. Same type of plays from the gun, just allowing us under center. It does have a little more pool in the play-action game when you get under center. That's definitely true."
