Ahead of the second face-off against the Steelers, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz revealed the Browns' plans to deal with veteran star Aaron Rodgers.

"I think, in general, our combination of rush and coverage just need to work together to be able to go. There were a lot of really good rushes in the first game, and we got balls out quickly and got off the field on third down. Wasn't necessarily a sack, but it still had the desired effect of what we're trying to do. So, it works both ways. Maybe we can make him hold the ball a little bit longer and buy time for our pass rush to get home.”

According to Next Gen Stats, Rodgers’ throw time stands at 2.63 seconds, making him the second-quickest quarterback this season. He made 275 successful passes out of 412 for 2,860 passing yards. And his speed made him a tough opponent for the Browns in Week 6.

The last time Rodgers faced off the Browns, he threw 21 of 35 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns. And all of this was without taking a sack or throwing an interception.

And Rodgers clearly knew what he was doing. Talking about Jim Schwartz's defensive strategies, he explained in October, "It’s an eight-man presentation, but they play too high out of it. That’s the thing."

This time around, the Cleveland pass rush is in great form. Myles Garrett picked up the pace after Week 6 and has now totaled 22 sacks this season. And considering the Browns have given up the lowest average passing yards per game (164.1), Schwartz and his defense might just keep Rodgers contained.

It won't just be Aaron Rodgers facing a brutal pass rush

The Browns also need to up their pass strategies. They are relying on quarterback Shedeur Sanders to compete with Rodgers and the offensive team to protect the rookie.

The offensive line struggles for the Browns aren't a secret. With multiple injuries and an aging squad, Cleveland has only been able to get 169.5 passing yards each game, the fourth lowest in the league.

It's an issue offensive coordinator Tommy Reese noted. “Our ability to protect the passer is going to be critical. And that's the quarterback, that's the tight ends, that's the receivers getting open, that's the backs in protection, and obviously the O-line. But protection against this group is everybody. It's getting open on time. It's playing on time.”

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar