Teams talk all the time about third down being the money down in football and it is, but Detroit must also pay special attention to being good on first down this week.
The Browns’ defense has been very good on first downs through the first three weeks of the season and it’s allowed them to play ahead of the sticks and put pressure on opposing offenses. Cleveland is the only team in the NFL allowing on average less than 3.0 yards (2.95) on first down.
Only 41.9 percent of first down plays against Cleveland’s defense gain at least four yards and the Browns are the No. 1 rushing defense on first down, allowing on average just 2.56 yards rushing on the down.
“You could say it’s important every week, but particularly a defense like this because that’s – the more you get in these, what feel like passing situations, they’ll get after you,” Campbell said.
“They can really cut it loose and with that front four, they play fast, penetrating-style defense. So, they know first down’s big for them, they’re looking for second-longs and that’s when they really have a lot of success. So yes, first down’s going to be big for us. We cannot get behind the sticks. We’ve got to stay in the green because if not it’ll be a long day.”