When the Steelers lined up on their own 24-yard line on third-and-13 in Week 8, they called a trap play designed to attack the interior of the Browns' defense. RB Jaylen Warren took the handoff inside for a 51-yard gain to the Browns' 25-yard line, marking Pittsburgh's longest run in its 200-yard performance on the ground — the most rushing yards Cleveland has allowed in a game this season.
The Browns are preparing to take on the Saints in Week 9, who average 86 rushing yards per game — the fifth fewest in the NFL. Limiting the effectiveness of inside rush concepts, tackling and winning individual matchups are all areas the Browns are looking to remedy in their effort to improve as a unit.
"They're very correctable," LB Carson Schwesinger said about the Browns' mistakes against the run. "That's been an emphasis this week, correcting those mistakes. We're ready to go into this week."
Over the past two games, the Browns have allowed an average of 170.5 rushing yards per game, partly due to their struggles to contain inside runs with their attack-style front. The Steelers and Titans combined for 264 rushing yards on 36 attempts and four touchdowns on inside runs, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
With the aggression of their attack-style front, the Browns' defense has struggled to effectively fill gaps at times, according to head coach Todd Monken. The Browns will look for ways to counteract that tendency to overshoot gaps while still playing within their system.
"Part of it is that changing up with the looks, part of it is how we fit the gaps. The next is, okay, when it does break, we've got to get them on the ground," Monken said. "There's certain things that we're going to have to do with our front, definitely with our fits, and then when it does break, our ability to tackle better and get them on the ground."
Cleveland will be facing a New Orleans offense that has averaged just 3.5 yards per carry this year, though, the third fewest in the league. The Saints' running backs have also struggled specifically on inside runs in their past three games, managing 144 yards on 47 attempts over that span, per NFL Next Gen Stats. To take advantage of the opportunity at hand, the Browns' defense has emphasized improving against specific inside run concepts, including both trap and wham plays.
"You can do a lot of things to combat those," Schwesinger said on defending trap and wham run concepts. "Whether it's adjustments based off look or knowing the look pre-snap and knowing where you are supposed to be in that aspect, we've gone over that and looked at those."
Both Schwesinger and CB Denzel Ward also mentioned the importance of the Browns continuing to work on their tackling, which can help when facing inside rush concepts. Schwesinger noted how Warren's third-down run was an example of the Browns needing to correct that part of their run defense.
While Ward has continued to excel in pass coverage this season, leading all qualified cornerbacks in the NFL with a 91.6 pass coverage grade per Pro Football Focus, he believes he can improve his ability to defend the run.
"I know I have to do a better job at tackling," Ward said. "My tackling hasn't been the best the past couple weeks, so I think that's going to help it. If I can improve on my tackling and helping get those guys down and being physical in the run game as well as I am in the pass game, I think it'll help our defense out."
On the defensive line, DE Jared Verse explained how they must do a better job of getting off their individual blocks. While Verse believes he has been able to close the B-gap well recently, the Browns need to quickly win their matchups by staying aggressive and continuing to move their feet against inside runs.
"I think it's just attacking it one at a time," Verse said. "We just have to do our one of 11. People aren't winning their one-on-ones and that's the important thing. It's 11-on-11 every time so, you just have to win your one-on-ones, and we haven't been doing that."
When the Browns take the field against the Saints on Nov. 8, they will be looking to showcase their improvements defending inside run concepts. And while facing New Orleans' rushing attack, they will have an opportunity to accomplish that goal.
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 9 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Hassan Haskins (27) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive Coordinator Travis Switzer during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) and Wide receiver Xavier Guillory (88) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive Line Coach George Warhop during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano (55) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Taylen Green (15) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Khordae Sydnor (90) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Krys Barnes (43) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Xavier Guillory (88) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Khordae Sydnor (90) and Defensive end Nadame Tucker (53) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Coach Mike Bajakian during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Taylen Green (15) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Nadame Tucker (53) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide Receivers Coach Christian Jones during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. (1) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Xavier Truss (66) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Tytus Howard (71) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Xavier Guillory (88) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Nadame Tucker (53) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Xavier Guillory (88) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Derek Barnett (97) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Obinna Eze (68) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Xavier Truss (66) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (74) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Austin Blaske (64) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
A football during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (74) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Hassan Haskins (27) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Austin Blaske (64) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Daniel Thomas (24) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Krys Barnes (43) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) and Wide receiver Xavier Guillory (88) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zion Johnson (77) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (19) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Nadame Tucker (53) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Special Teams Coordinator Byron Storer during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Xavier Guillory (88) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Assistant Wide Receivers Coach John Wozniak during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Austin Blaske (64) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Obinna Eze (68) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Xavier Truss (66) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (25) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Xavier Truss (66) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Xavier Guillory (88) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) during practice on September 6, 2022 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice on November 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Austin Blaske (64) during practice on November 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
