The Cleveland Browns have been the model of inconsistency this season in so many ways. A year after making the playoffs, the team hoped to build on that success in 2021. With continuity on offense and an influx of talent on defense, those expectations were reasonable.
At times, they have met those expectations. Sadly, those times rarely come on both sides of the ball or for a full game.
The defense, in particular, has been maddening. Some games, Myles Garrett and company look like one of the best in the league. Other games, the defense can barely stop the offense.
In a new data set, we see that the inconsistency on defense has created a surprisingly average set of results. Ben Baldwin took a look at every series, which combine to create an offensive possession, a defense has played this season and tabulated the results of how that series ended. Baldwin simplified results into four categories:
- Touchdowns or first downs
- Field Goals
- Turnovers
- Punts
The results for the Browns defense are as follows, as seen in the graph below:
- Touchdowns or first downs: 74%
- Field Goals: 6%
- Turnovers: 6%
- Punts: 14 %
While the 74% may seem high, the Browns are tied, with six other teams, for 17th in the league at that number. Even getting punts on only 14% of the series is in line with a lot of other teams or one percentage point behind many others.
There is a lot that can be taken away from Baldwin’s data but, perhaps, most importantly is how razor-thin the differences are at the NFL level, especially on defense.
