Ineligible Man Downfield: A quick Browns advanced stat rundown
Plus the news and notes you might have missed.
What do the numbers say about this Browns team?
Here’s a glossary of terms for reference.
Total DVOA: -1.9% (18th overall). This is a drop from 12th last week. It places Cleveland third in the AFC North behind Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
ESPN’s Football Power Index: Gives the Browns the NFL’s 10th-best odds of reaching the Super Bowl.
Offense DVOA: 5.6% (14th overall). The Browns dropped from No. 9 overall last week. It places them second in the AFC North behind the 12th-ranked Steelers.
Pass offensive DVOA: 12.5% (18th overall). The Steelers are the best in the AFC North, but the Browns are one spot ahead of the Ravens through five weeks.
Defense DVOA: 0.9% (16th overall). This is higher than I would have guessed, but turnovers and sacks help. Baltimore and Pittsburgh both have top-10 defensive.
Pass defense DVOA: 10.6% (18th overall). Again, this is higher than I might have guessed. Baltimore is top-10, but Pittsburgh is just two spots higher than Cleveland.
Run defense DVOA: -17% (11th overall). This is a good sign for the Browns defense. It also places them third in the AFC North because the Steelers and Ravens are first and second in run defense DVOA, respectively. That feels like it matters.
Team pass rush win rate: 45% (ninth overall). This is at least somewhat driven by Myles Garrett, who has six sacks and is top-10 in this stat among individual edge defenders. As much as the secondary is a little dicey, there’s a defensive template that starts with a good pass rush. The defensive line getting healthier will help too.
Team run stop win rate: 25% (30th overall). This is a bit concerning and potentially reveals an underrated defensive weakness. But, again, a healthier, deeper offensive line should help. Where it separates from run defense DVOA is that it indicates that the Browns defense isn’t winning the initial battle, but then are still containing the run.
Team pass block win rate: 70% (Second overall). Investing in the offensive line by adding good players and hiring Bill Callahan: really smart.
Team run block win rate: 73% (fourth overall). Investing in the offensive line by adding good players and hiring Bill Callahan: really smart.
ICYMI
Wyatt Teller is ‘week-to-week’ with a calf strain
Greedy Williams — who has yet to play this season — has been placed on IR
Ronnie Harrison is in concussion protocol
Garrett Gilbert has been signed off the Browns’ practice squad by the Cowboys
Meanwhile, the Browns added two players to their own practice squad
2021 Tribe Fest has been canceled
In preps news: North Olmsted canceled the rest of its football season due to a positive COVID test
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Mike Tomlin doesn’t want to talk about Myles Garrett
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Who we are
Chris Manning: Site Manager at Fear the Sword, co-host of the Locked on Cavs podcast, words at places like Cleveland Magazine and Forbes. On Twitter @cwmwrites
Jordan Zirm: Social editor at @TheCheckdown. Formerly of ESPN Cleveland. Words at B/R, SB Nation and UPROXX. Host of The Rebuild podcast. On Twitter @clevezirm
Photo: Getty