The day after CB Denzel Ward's performance in the Browns' Week 11 loss to the Saints, head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked if he thought the seven-year veteran was having the best season of his career.
Ward leads the NFL in passes defensed with 17, but did not have a takeaway through the first nine games of the season. That changed against the Saints.
Late in the first quarter, Saints TE Taysom Hill dropped back and launched a deep ball intended for WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Ward came flying in and backpedaled as he tracked down the ball to secure his first interception of the season. Two drives later, he ripped the ball out of Hill's hands in the red zone and dove on the loose ball.
"He's played really well over the time I've been with him. Certainly, played really well yesterday, making game-changing plays and that's one thing we've talked about: taking the ball away," Stefanski said. "And those are two examples of him taking that away, going up and getting it on the interception, ripping it out on the fumble. So, he certainly is playing at a high level."
Entering Week 11, the Browns were last in takeaways in the NFL with just one interception and four fumble recoveries. They had gone four games without an interception, which came courtesy of LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah against the Commanders in Week 5.
Multiple Browns defensive players, including Ward, expressed their confidence throughout the turnover drought that they would be able to secure takeaways going forward.
"It's just really locking in on the details and executing our assignment," Ward said the Monday following their 35-14 loss to the Saints. "Like I said, those takeaways are going to come. They're going to come, and they did. So, was definitely happy to come away with those."
Ward has been targeted 46 times this season, allowing 22 receptions, three touchdowns and intercepting one pass, per NFL Pro. His 37 percent ballhawk rate, a statistic that measures how often a defensive player makes a play on the ball when targeted, is the sixth-best among defensive backs with 10 or more targets.
Additionally, 41.3 percent of balls thrown Ward's way are in tight windows, defined by Next Gen Stats as a situation in which the intended receiver has less than a yard of separation from the defender. Ward's tight window percentage is the fifth-highest rate among defensive backs this season.
"I do honestly feel that I'm playing really good football right now," Ward said. "I'm just trying to give my all to this team and do what I can to help us get a win and make plays out there and keep the energy up and keep the plays coming."
Play-by-play action shots from the Cleveland Browns' Week 11 NFL game vs. the New Orleans Saints
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
The defense during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) and Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Defensive end Elerson G. Smith (52) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
The offensive during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Tight end Jordan Akins (88) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) and Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints on November 17, 2024 at the Caesars Superdome.
Ward will once again be called upon to provide a spark on defense when the Browns host the 8-2 Steelers on Thursday Night Football in Week 12.
Since QB Russell Wilson made his season debut in Week 7, the Steelers have not lost a game. WR George Pickens' skillset as a speedy, deep ball threat has complemented Wilson's strong arm as the two have connected for 293 yards and two touchdowns in their four games together.
"[Wilson] is a veteran quarterback that has been playing very well for those guys and George Pickens, he's a top receiver in this league. Great receiver, great at catching the ball and making plays out there for his team," Ward said.
In order to stop a receiver like Pickens, who has had at least one reception for 30 or more yards in all but three of his first 10 games of the season, the Browns will need to prevent the big plays that hurt them in their loss to the Saints.
The Saints completed three passing plays for 20 or more yards against the Browns on Sunday. The Browns have allowed 36 such plays this season, the fourth-worst mark in the league. Ward said as a defense, they know there are areas to improve in preventing explosive plays.
"Just seeing where we messed up on those plays and what we've got to do better at," Ward said. "It's not big things. It's a lot of little details that we've got to key in on and make sure we're keeping our leverage and just getting everybody to the ball and making a tackle, making a play."
