How will the Browns stop the run?

Cleveland will face one of the top rushing attacks in the league, as Chicago is second in the NFL averaging 152.6 rushing yards per game.

“Not only a big emphasis on the run game…these guys can run the ball – I mean, they ran up almost 300 yards rushing on Philly (Eagles), so it’s enough to get your attention,” defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. “It’s December football, it’ll be cold in the game, and run defense is going to be important. We need to play all our plays the way we played most of our plays, and we can’t let our guard down for one second or we pay the consequences.”

The Bears’ run game starts with RB D’Andre Swift and RB Kyle Monangai. Swift leads Chicago with 173 carries for 837 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while Monangai is second with 135 carries for 648 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Swift averages 69.8 rushing yards per game and has totaled four 20-plus yard rushing plays this season.

“(DeAndre) Swift gives them a lot of things that (Jahmyr) Gibbs gives them and (Kyle) Monangai, that guy gives you a hammer, sort of like (David) Montgomery,” Schwartz said. “I’ll tell you what, I got a lot of respect for that kid. He is a hard runner. He was a late round draft pick, not the biggest guy in the round, but there’s nothing to hit on him – he’s shaped a lot like (Ashton) Jeanty, and that gives them that good one, two punch.”

However, the Browns must also account for QB Caleb Williams in the run game, who has totaled 65 carries for 321 rushing yards and three touchdowns, using his legs to extend plays. He ranks third on the team in both carries and rushing yards.

Schwartz compared the approach to defending the scrambling ability of QB Lamar Jackson and QB Justin Fields to how they will have to defend Williams.

“The biggest thing is the run game, and then Caleb Williams sort of making plays off schedule,” Schwartz said. “It’s not just taking the run game away from them, but it’s taking the scrambles to throw, and that stuff puts a lot of pressure on your defense. So, good play action team, good run team, and quarterback that can make plays off schedule and a lot of wide receivers and tight ends that can run after the catch. Tough scheme. Great challenge for us.”