Saints vs. Browns: Breaking Down Cleveland's Game Plan

After a dramatic comeback in Week 1 that fell just short, the Cleveland Browns will try to regroup as they prepare for their home opener against the New Orleans Saints. In order for the Browns to prevent falling to 0-2, they will need to figure out a way to harness the success they had in the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“We’re excited to get out in front of the Dawg Pound and put on a performance they can be proud of, not just a half,” said head coach Mike Pettine to the media on Wednesday.

As simplistic as that seems, that is the most important part of this week’s game plan. They must play an entire game of football against one of the most potent offenses in the NFL and a top-tier defense from a year ago.

The formula is simple: Establish the run and control the clock. When the Saints key in on the running backs, then quarterback Brian Hoyer needs to take some chances downfield and keep them honest.

Defensively, the Browns will be spread out wide all Sunday afternoon. Rookie cornerback Justin Gilbert has to grow up quickly after an abysmal NFL debut. Linebacker Chris Kirksey and the safeties will also play a huge role in defending tight end Jimmy Graham, who at 6’7” tall is one of the most unique weapons.

The Browns are so concerned with Graham and his height that they added a 6’7” wide receiver to the practice squad this week. Pettine admitted on Wednesday that the signing of Ifeanyi Momah was more than just them liking his talent.

“We wanted to get him in and get a look at him and this was a good week for it playing a tight end like Jimmy Graham who plays really like a tall wideout at times,” Pettine told the media.

So limiting Graham is obviously a huge focus for the Browns defense on Sunday. Let’s take a look at who has the edge when it comes to talent who will try and execute the game plan.

The Competitive Edge

Quarterback

Drew Brees is one of the best in the business, and at 35 years old, he still has shown no signs of slowing down. His quick release and uncanny ability to dissect defenses in a split second had allowed him to post some of the gaudiest numbers the league has ever seen. He is currently fifth all-time with 51,414 passing yards.

Edge: New Orleans

Running Back

The Browns will be without starter Ben Tate for at least this week, according to Mike Pettine’s Wednesday press conference. Even in his absence, the rookie tandem of Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell are still a formidable duo. When Tate left the game with a knee sprain, the rookies combined for 132 yards and two touchdowns. New Orleans has a capable stable of runners but uses them sparingly.

Despite what they did in Week 1, their rushing attack is their change of pace on offense.

Edge: Cleveland

Receivers

David Goldman/Associated Press

It seems like the Saints have had one of the best stables of wide receivers for the last seven years. The 2014 version features some old heads and youngsters. Marques Colston is still one of the best and posted huge numbers in their Week 1 loss. He caught five balls for 110 yards. Rookie Brandin Cooks has blazing speed and had no trouble making his presence felt. He caught seven passes for 77 yards and a touchdown last week.

Edge: New Orleans

Tight End

New Orleans is one of the few teams in the league that has the edge at tight end over Cleveland, and this week, it is multiplied. The Browns could be without Jordan Cameron, who injured his shoulder catching a 47-yard pass in the first quarter last week. Pettine classified him as “day-to-day” on Wednesday.

Jimmy Graham, on the other hand, is healthy and as dangerous as ever. He caught eight passes for 87 yards last week. He continues to be one of the most dangerous pass-catchers in the NFL.

Edge: New Orleans

Offensive Line

If the Browns offensive line plays like they did in the second half last week, then they should be one of the better lines in the NFL this season. Right tackle Mitchell Schwartz had a solid 2014 debut pass protection but was dominant against the run.

Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan, via CBS Sports, had an interesting breakdown of the Browns rushing attack. He said the right side produced 127 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Saints, on the other hand, don’t have many household names but always get the job done. They did not allow a sack last week.

Edge: Push

Defensive Line

The Browns will get a huge boost this week if Desmond Bryant can return to action. Pettine said on Wednesday that he would be practicing. Despite their depth, the Browns struggled to get pressure on Ben Roethlisberger during the first half last week. Bryant, Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin are a load of a rotation for any offensive line to handle. They are especially good against the run and stuffing lanes.

Edge: Browns

Linebackers

The Browns' inside linebackers were surprisingly good last week. Karlos Dansby had an interception, and rookie Chris Kirksey had a sack. Kirksey took most of the snaps next to Dansby and looks like he could be a very productive player in this system.

On the outside, the Browns are a little banged up as Barkevious Mingo has a shoulder injury. That shouldn't matter too much, as he was very unproductive last week. Jabaal Sheard and Paul Kruger had probably their best games as members of the Browns, combining for eight tackles and three sacks.

Edge: Browns

Defensive Backs

Neither team’s secondaries will be making instructional tapes based on their Week 1 performances. The Browns allowed 365 passing yards, and the Saints gave up 445 yards to the Atlanta Falcons. The Browns need rookie corner Justin Gilbert to play much better than he did last week when he was targeted nearly every passing play.

The Saints have a young and talented secondary, but they have a hard time creating turnovers. They intercepted just 12 passes last year and could not snag one last week.

Edge: Push

Special Teams

Despite a rough week for the Browns special teams against Pittsburgh, they still have the edge in this department. Travis Benjamin remains a very dangerous returner, kicker Billy Cundiff is back to old-steady ways and the coverage teams should improve. New Orleans does have a very dangerous young returner in Brandin Cooks. He can take one to the house any time he touches the ball.

Edge: Browns

Browns Offense vs. Saints Defense

In 2013, the Saints were among the best teams in the NFL when it came to creating pressure on the quarterback. In fact, they got to the opposing passer 49 times. The Browns will need to be steady in pass blocking and keep Brian Hoyer clean if he is going to be effective.

The most important part of that, however, is establishing a rushing attack. In the first half against Pittsburgh, the Browns did not dedicate their offense to the ground, and it affected the passing game. In the second half, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan made sure the running game got going, and that opened up a hurry-up passing attack as well.

The Browns can use defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s aggressiveness against him and cause some major damage with the running backs. Not only will they have opportunities to amass yards on the ground but also in the short passing game.

Ryan’s defense takes chances from the linebacker position, and they will create lanes for checkdown passes to the backs. If Hoyer can find them in rhythm, then they should be able to get some yards after the catch.

Browns Defense vs. Saints Offense

This is the part of the game where the Browns really need to be concerned. Mike Pettine called the defense a “comedy of errors” in the first half last week and said that is not the system he installed.

I know how much pride Pettine takes in the defensive side of the football, so I do expect some improvement but they might just be outmanned. The number of weapons the Saints run at you on every play is tough for any team to match up against.

This is specifically true for the Browns. They will need to limit Justin Gilbert’s exposure to Drew Brees because you have to assume he is licking his chops watching the Browns’ game film from last week. If the team can keep Gilbert out of poor matchups, then they have a shot at limiting New Orleans offensively.

The Browns will also need to create much more pressure than they did last week. While the sack numbers probably won’t be high, they need to force Brees into rushed throws and not let their dangerous downfield routes develop. The more Brees is passing to running backs, the better off the Browns will be.

Special Teams

Mike Pettine spoke on Wednesday about how disappointing his special teams were in Week 1.

“In special teams, we need to take a step up,” Pettine said to the media Wednesday. “[Browns special teams coordinator] Chris Tabor will be the first one to tell you that we didn't have our best day on teams against Pittsburgh, and we’re looking for a bounce-back performance on Sunday.”

The biggest issue was mental mistakes. They had players overrun their lanes on Antonio Brown’s big returns and then had an opportunity to down the football at the 1-yard line later in the game and had two guys bumble the ball.

Against New Orleans, the Browns will need to focus on the little things that are so important in special teams. They also need a big return from Travis Benjamin at some point during the game to help equalize the offensive deficiency between them and the Saints.

What they’re Saying

“Height has nothing to do with it. It’s all in your mind and in your heart.”

—Saint quarterback Drew Brees on if Johnny Manziel’s height will limit his NFL production

“All that in the second half. The game doesn’t change, man. Football is football. Football comes down to the guy who wants it most. I want it the most, and that’s how I attack the game each and every week.”

—Browns running back Terrance West on rushing for 100 yards in his NFL debut

Browns’ Wednesday Injury Report

Did not participate: Running back Ben Tate (knee), Tight end Jordan Cameron (shoulder), defensive lineman John Hughes (hamstring), linebacker Barkevious Mingo (shoulder), tackle Joe Thomas (personal)

Ben Tate has been ruled out for the game against New Orleans on Sunday. John Hughes looks like he could miss his second straight game as well.

Jordan Cameron and Barkevious Mingo are both day-to-day, and there is still hope they could hit the field before the end of the week. If Cameron cannot play, then the Browns could be without him, Josh Gordon and Ben Tate. Those guys were thought to be the best three weapons on offense heading into the season.

Limited: Defensive lineman Desmond Bryant (wrist), offensive lineman Paul McQuistan (ankle)

If both Desmond Bryant and Paul McQuistan can return this week, it would be a huge boost for the team. Jabaal Sheard talked on Wednesday about how big of a boost Bryant would be in spirit and production.

McQuistan might be an even bigger boost, however. The Browns entered last week’s game without a backup guard. Paul would be that guy and would also be the first tackle off the bench. His versatility and his experience is crucial.

Full Participation: None

This Week’s Game Stats and Facts

New Orleans is 4-12 all-time against the Browns. The two teams were both members of the NFL’s Century Division in 1968, New Orleans’ second season as a franchise.

The contest is the first regular-season game in the newly renovated FirstEnergy Stadium. Following the 2013 season, the organization launched a $120 million modernization effort, with the goal of providing Browns fans a top-tier NFL facility.

The Browns' 183 rushing yards last week were the most by the team since Nov. 7, 2010.

Saints head coach Sean Payton (Miami), strength and condition coach Dan Dalrymple (Ohio State), offensive line coach Bret Ingalls (Miami) and tight ends coach Terry Malone (Bowling Green) all spent time coaching in Northeast Ohio in their careers.

All quotes and observations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Game stats and facts are courtesy of the Browns’ communications department.