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Monken praises Browns defense for improvement over the past 2 games
Monken praised Mike Rutenberg’s unit after Cleveland pressured Bryce Young on 26 of 50 drop-backs and held Carolina to one touchdown.
On Sunday, the Cleveland Browns defeated the Carolina Panthers 21-18, pressuring quarterback Bryce Young on 26 of his 50 drop-backs in a dominant defensive performance.
Coach Todd Monken credited defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg for the unit's execution, saying the players are "playing really hard and they're playing connected" after recent tactical adjustments.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham recorded two sacks, becoming the first player since Chicago's Akiem Hicks in 2020 to log a sack in his first three games; the team maintained a 52% pressure rate.
Despite the win, the Browns were flagged 12 times for 84 yards on Sunday, including 10 penalties in the first half, marking a discipline problem that undermined their defensive success.
Cleveland is 2-1 for the first time since 2023 and faces a short turnaround before hosting AFC North rival Pittsburgh on Thursday night in a primetime matchup.