Defense wants even more after impressive opener … better start, turnovers

The defense was so strong Sunday in the season opener, even a crushing loss couldn't obscure the brilliance.Myles Garrett and Co. made Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the rest of the Bengals offense look average with 141 yards. They were completely ineffectual in the fourth quarter, as they totaled minus-18 yards and no first downs as Cleveland's defense kept giving the offense — and kicker — chances to pull out the victory.Notes: Kevin Stefanski emphasizes 'trust' of K Andre Szmyt but doesn't say if he'll keep jobThe numbers weren't enough for Garrett. Rather than blame Andre Szmyt's two missed kicks or the three dropped passes in the fourth quarter, he pointed the finger at the slow start by the defense that included the Bengals' two touchdowns within their first three possessions."It's tough. We would've loved to have played the first half how we played the second half," Garrett, who had back-to-back sacks, said after the 17-16 loss. "I think that would've really put the game away much sooner. Kind of similar to how we did it in '23."I think that's something that we can take away, that we have that level of quality on the defensive front, being able to shut those guys down, keep them from dominating the game with the special individuals they have over there."The Bengals marched 67 yards in 12 plays to start the game with a touchdown. On their third drive, they took advantage of a short field and went 54 yards for another touchdown and a 14-7 lead.Bengals 17, Browns 16: Cleveland wastes golden opportunity to win opener with missed kicks, dropped passes"We probably had more mental errors in the first drive than we did the entire game," coach Kevin Stefanski said. "This game is a 60-minute game and minute one is as important as minute 60. So we certainly have to be playing our best ball at the beginning and the end."Safety Ronnie Hickman credited the coaches and players with making a lot of adjustments."I loved how we were able to come back. but I think overall, it's just a matter of it shouldn't take that much to get us as a defense to play like that," he said. "If we came out the gate playing how we played in that second half, I think it'd be a different ending for that game. But it just shows us what type of defense we can be and how we need to play all four quarters, not just the last two of the game."The Bengals had only 7 yards and one first down in the second half. Burrow passed for 113 yards — the third-lowest output of his career — Chase had two catches for 26 yards and running back Chase Brown averaged 2 yards on 21 carries.Rookies make strong first impression, led by Dylan Sampson and Harold Fannin Jr.The only thing missing for the defense was turnovers. The Bengals got two interceptions off balls that deflected off the hands of receivers Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman, while the Browns didn't get a takeaway. They had only four interceptions and eight fumble recoveries last season."We've got to get some turnovers of our own to match them and I think that swings the game right there," Garrett said.The defense is going to need to force turnovers if it's going to meet self-imposed expectations and be the driving force in a successful season. The easy comparison would be the NFL's top-ranked unit from 2023, but cornerback Greg Newsome II said the reference is dated."Honestly, my mindset is I don't even remember 2023," he said. "Our goal is to be the best we can be this year. It's Week 1. It's a lot of football left to play. But as long as we keep working every single week, continue to hone our crafts, I think we'll be another legendary defense."They've got plenty of the pieces.Garrett is arguably the NFL's best defensive player and had four tackles for loss and three quarterback hits to go with the two sacks. Isaiah McGuire got the start at the other end and had a sack, six tackles, two for loss, and two quarterbacks hits. Rookie middle linebacker Carson Schwesinger had a team-high eight tackles and a quarterback hit. And cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Newsome shut down Chase and Tee Higgins."The corners are two of the best in the league. I don't think any other team has a better tandem than they do," Burrow said. "They do a good job figuring out ways to get their guy 95 (Garrett) in one-on-one situations. Playing man coverage and being sticky so you have to hold onto the ball a little longer trying to get guys open, and by the time that happens, usually 95 is there. Their whole scheme works together and I have a lot of respect for them."With Martin Emerson Jr. out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, Newsome spent most of his time on the outside, although he followed Chase into the slot when he was on his side. Newsome had two pass breakups, and if he can keep it up, the defense has an even better chance to be special."We call that corner room specifically the tip of the spear for our defense. When you look at it, it's nothing but man-to-man out there and a lot of one high," said Hickman, who mans the deep part of the field. "So it looks good for the quarterback to challenge those guys. And all week, really every week, but specifically this week, going against those type of receivers, Coach (Jim) Schwartz made an emphasis of it's going to come down to winning those outside matchups. And they love those challenges. Those two guys are the best in the business for a reason. So I'm just glad they were able to put on display what they do day in and day out."The defense doesn't have time to celebrate or puff its chest. The Browns travel to Baltimore on Sunday to face the Ravens, who will be fuming after blowing a 15-point fourth-quarter lead Sunday night in a 41-40 loss at Buffalo.Derrick Henry rushed for 169 yards, two touchdowns and a 9.4 average. Lamar Jackson went 14-for-19 for 209 passing yards, two touchdowns and a 144.4 rating. He added 70 rushing yards and a touchdown on six carries."It's another division opponent, a good team who we're facing," Garrett said. "It's going to be very different styles, so we have to be able to prepare and look ourselves in the mirror very quickly, see what adjustments we need to make and get right back at. Those guys aren't slowing down and neither can we."The post Defense wants even more after impressive opener … better start, turnovers first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.