'I was playing for Denzel Ward': Banged-up Browns defense gets four turnovers vs. Jaguars

CLEVELAND — Greg Newsome II witnessed fellow Browns cornerback Denzel Ward work hard in practice throughout last week, only to fall short of playing Sunday in a 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

With Ward's status at the forefront, Newsome sent an inspirational text message to cornerbacks Martin Emerson Jr. and Cameron Mitchell before the Browns defense generated four takeaways in the pivotal AFC game on Cleveland's lakefront.

“I was like, 'Hey, let's go,'” Newsome said. “That's all that needs to be said.

“I've always played for the man above, but today I was playing for Denzel Ward.”

The Browns (8-5) had lost their previous two games without Ward, and the defense knew it desperately needed to bounce back to remain in the thick of the playoff hunt.

“I don't think we've been playing our best ball with him out,” Newsome said. “So it was definitely motivating for us to get out there and compete.”

Not only did two-time Pro Bowl selection Ward miss his third consecutive game with a shoulder injury, but Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said starting safety Juan Thornhill tweaked a calf during pregame warm-ups. The Browns ruled out Thornhill before kickoff.

To make matters even worse, the other starting safety, Grant Delpit, fresh off a contract-extension agreement, suffered a groin injury with 9:30 left in the fourth quarter. Remember, the Browns lost their No. 3 safety, respected veteran Rodney McLeod Jr., to a season-ending torn biceps on Nov. 19 in a 13-10 home win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Facing Jaguars star quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Newsome started at outside cornerback in place of Ward instead of manning the slot, where rookie fifth-round draft pick Mitchell played. Undrafted rookie Ronnie Hickman started in place of Thornhill, and D'Anthony Bell replaced Delpit down the stretch.

“Tough games define who you are,” Browns defensive end Myles Garrett said. “Coming out on the other side of this one feels real good for a multitude of reasons, but the resilience of this team shows week in and week out — and the toughness. Those are the kind of things that are going to carry us very far into the rest of this year, into the postseason.”

Emerson, linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. and defensive end Za'Darius Smith explained Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz showed the defense its highlights from this season during a meeting Saturday. Smith said everyone was fired up as a result.

But parlaying the experience into a win over the Jaguars (8-5) wasn't easy. Losing Thornhill right before the game only complicated the mission.

“You're talking about a Super Bowl champ [with the Kansas City Chiefs], one of our leaders on the defense,” Newsome said. “It's super tough, but Ronnie Hickman played an unbelievable game. D'Anthony Bell came in when Grant went down and played an unbelievable game. So I think it just shows they're always prepared and always ready for the moment.”

Newsome made a diving interception with 14:10 left to play while Hickman pressured Lawrence, who started after suffering what the Jaguars labeled a high ankle sprain on Dec. 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns capitalized off the turnover with a 41-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Flacco to wide receiver David Bell on fourth-and-3, allowing Cleveland to go ahead 28-14 with 12:34 remaining.

Later, Mitchell and Hickman covered Jaguars receiver Zay Jones on fourth-and-3 from the Jacksonville 38, helping force an incomplete pass and a turnover on downs with 3:30 left.

During the ensuing possession, Dustin Hopkins made a 55-yard field goal to give the Browns a 31-21 lead with 3:10 remaining. The Jaguars fired back with Lawrence's 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Evan Engram with 1:33 left, but their subsequent two-point play was blown up by Garrett sacking Lawrence. The Browns led 31-27 and then secured an onside kick to clinch a 6-1 record at home.

“I don't think it was smart the way we were playing,” Newsome said of the Jaguars going for two points. “But, obviously, they were trying to get their selves in a good position.

“Myles Garrett, like I said, MVP of the league, defensive player of the league, so we knew he would show up.”

The Browns outgained the Jaguars 389-293 in total yards. Jacksonville's first two touchdowns were scored on 12- and 25-yard drives set up by fumbles Flacco and receiver Amari Cooper lost. Flacco also threw an interception, but the Browns still won the turnover battle 4-3.

“We've been getting s*** all year for, 'Oh, they're good defense, but they don't cause turnovers,'” Walker said. “I tell the guys all the time, 'When you get them, they come in bunches.'”

On the first series of the second half, Walker wrapped up Jaguars receiver Parker Washington and used his right hand to rake the ball loose. Walker also recovered the fumble at the Jacksonville 22 with 14:04 left in the third quarter.

Seven plays later, Browns running back Kareem Hunt turned a direct snap into a 4-yard rushing touchdown, and Cleveland went ahead 21-7 with 9:39 remaining in the third quarter.

“That's definitely a turning point in the game,” Newsome said.

Newsome has two interceptions this season, matching Ward, who was on the Browns' sideline Sunday. With his two diving interceptions in the second quarter, Emerson moved atop the defense's 2023 leaderboard with four picks.

“We said we were going to get back to ourselves in front of our fans,” Emerson said. “That was our goal.”

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For the most part, the Browns defense has been dominant at home this season, unlike on the road.

The Browns sacked Lawrence four times after they had registered just one total sack in the previous two games, losses at the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams. Delpit, Smith, defensive tackle Maurice Hurst and defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo each tallied a sack. Because of the way the NFL tracks two-point attempts, Garrett's sack doesn't count in the official statistics.

“We've got to take our defense anywhere we travel, wherever we play, and we understand that,” Walker said. “So we've got to be better when it comes to that.

“But the lake effect is real. That crowd is amazing. We feed off of those guys so much. It's much needed for us. It makes us feel right at home. We love it.”

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Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns defense steps up without Denzel Ward to beat Jaguars