NFL teams
Pat McManamon, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Browns reassessing play of defense with Philip Rivers operating at ease

NFL, Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO -- Tramon Williams' penalty gave the San Diego Chargers a second chance to beat the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

But the Browns' defense gave the Chargers the chance for a field goal as time expired in the 30-27 loss.

It left some Browns players questioning a unit that was supposed to be a team strength.

"We got to get everything corrected," Williams said after the Browns had their third game in which they've given up 27 or more points. "As players we're the ones out there playing.

"Whether we have to speak up a little bit more and say what we feel we need to do, whether we feel we need more variety of things or different things, just have to step up and say it," the defensive back added. "Once you look up, the season's going to be over."

Williams and linebacker Paul Kruger both said Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers seemed to often recognize what the Browns were going to do. That is a strength of Rivers, but the players seemed concerned.

"He knew a lot of things that we were doing," Williams said.

"There were a lot of situations where he was kind of seeing what we were doing and making adjustments," Kruger said.

The Browns' defensive problems go beyond Rivers recognizing defenses, though.

In the past three games, Rivers, Marcus Mariota and Derek Carr have thrown for 929 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions against the Browns with a combined quarterback rating of 109.9.

The numbers are even more eye-opening when it's considered the Browns started Sunday's game ranked last in the league in run defense.

"We need to find out what we can hang our hat on," Kruger said, "and keep doing that."

Williams said on-field communication is good, and the team has heart. But he added that in Green Bay there was "more variety" in the defensive calls.

"But it is what it is," Williams said. "When we came here we knew what the scheme was. No excuses."

Williams was involved in the game-deciding play, as his offside penalty gave Josh Lambo a second try for the game winner, which he made on an untimed down.

"You got to go for it," Williams said. "I come from a place [Green Bay] where we're looking to win. That's what we want here."

"What do I say to him?" coach Mike Pettine said. "I don't say anything to him. He battled and played his tail off for 60 minutes, and at the end he tried to make a play. It was just a shade early.

"I'm not going to say anything to him other than, 'Thanks for your effort.'"

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