As the Browns prepare for their Week 15 matchup against the Bears, they know there will be an added focus on the run game.
Cleveland will face one of the top rushing attacks in the league, as Chicago is second in the NFL averaging 152.6 rushing yards per game.
"It's a great rush attack," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Not just the runners who are very, very good, but the offensive line, the tight ends, the receivers, all block. So, it's a good scheme. They have various schemes that they can get to, whether it's the zone game or the gap scheme game. The runners are dangerous in that they have the ability on the perimeter; they can run between the tackles. So, it's a huge challenge for our defense and obviously it's a huge focus for us going into this game."
The Bears' run game starts with RB D'Andre Swift and RB Kyle Monangai. Swift leads Chicago with 173 carries for 837 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while Monangai is second with 135 carries for 648 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Swift averages 69.8 rushing yards per game and has totaled four 20-plus yard rushing plays this season.
However, the Browns must also account for QB Caleb Williams, who has totaled 65 carries for 321 rushing yards and three touchdowns, using his legs to extend plays. He ranks third on the team in both carries and rushing yards.
"He can make a ton of plays both on schedule and off schedule, has elite arm talent to throw the ball around the field," Stefanski said. "He's very elusive, extremely elusive. He can get out of the pocket to the left, to the right, vertical in the pocket. He's a hard guy to bring down and that adds another element to their team and in this case their run offense."
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 15 game against the Chicago Bears.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (97) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
The scenery during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
A football during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Offensive tackle Jeremiah Byers (63) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Cornerback Sam Webb (27) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Cornerback Tre Avery (28) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Defensive back D'Angelo Ross (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Center Darrian Dalcourt (61) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Cornerback Dee Williams (29) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
The scenery during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Defensive end K.J. Henry (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Offensive guard Jack Conley (67) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Defensive tackle Keith Cooper Jr. (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Defensive back D'Angelo Ross (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (97) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Center Darrian Dalcourt (61) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Defensive tackle Keith Cooper Jr. (66) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (97) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Defensive end K.J. Henry (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (38) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 10, 2025.
The Browns are looking to bounce back from an uncharacteristic performance in their run defense from Week 14. After giving up 184 net rushing yards to the Titans, tied for the most rushing yards allowed this season by the Browns, Stefanski recognized that their run defense fell short in stopping Tennessee. DE Alex Wright reiterated that sentiment when they watched the film and said he noticed small tweaks and alignments that could have helped change the results of Week 14 and the Titans' success in running the ball.
As they turn their focus to Chicago, Wright knows the challenge they will face in Week 15.
"We're going against Chicago next week and they have Ben Johnson as the head coach, so you know the type of offensive schemes he puts together – that's just about every type of run play they have, they can utilize," Wright said. "I'm pretty sure they will look at this game and go to the drawing board, but at the end of the day, it's about us getting better and going back to the day one basis of who we are. That begins with stopping the run."
Cleveland now sits at 13th in the league, allowing an average of 107.7 rushing yards per game. They have also recorded 101 tackles for loss this season, slowing down runners from breaking past the line of scrimmage and limiting their ability for big gains in the run game.
As the Browns prepare throughout the week for the Bears, Stefanski said they must go back to the basics, stay true to the defensive scheme and play with the proper technique and effort to adjust their run defense back to the level in which they have demonstrated throughout the season. The Browns have held opponents to under 100 net rushing yards seven times this season.
CB Denzel Ward added that as a defense, they must focus on finishing their plays, being in the right spots on the field and making the tackle in order to execute their run defense properly. He also knows his role – and the secondary's role – in their run defense is to tackle and make plays to help their defensive line, a point of emphasis from defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. It's an area of the game that he also takes pride in showcasing, helping to make key tackles and bring runners down to stop the run.
"We have to find a way to eliminate the run game," Ward said. "They're going to try to come out and run the ball. They have a good run team. It's going be our job to stop that, everybody."
