Browns aim to boost defensive pressure against Buccaneers in Week 2
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 17, 2026, 12:19 AM
Last updated Sep 17, 2026
The Cleveland Browns face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, seeking to improve their pass rush after a disappointing start to the season. In their opener, the Browns struggled defensively, allowing 360 total yards in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg's scheme faced criticism for minimal blitzes, which contributed to quarterback Trevor Lawrence's four touchdowns. Veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson's offense also faltered, recording only 87 rushing yards. To succeed in Week 2, the Browns need to create more pressure on Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers' offense.
- •Browns lost 360 yards to Jaguars in season opener.
- •Defense allowed four touchdowns from Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence.
- •Cleveland's new scheme utilized only three blitzes against Jacksonville.
- •Deshaun Watson's offense struggled with 87 rushing yards.
- •Browns face Baker Mayfield Sunday in a crucial matchup.
- 12:19 AMYahoo Sports — Browns need to find their pass rush in Week 2 against Baker Mayfield
"The Cleveland Browns' defense, after a brutal Week One loss, must find its footing in the trenches against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NFL•Sep 17, 2026, 1:14 AMJakobi Meyers dealing with thumb injury
NFL•Sep 17, 2026, 1:01 AM5 Jaguars players on first Week 2 injury report, including Brian Thomas- NFL•Sep 17, 2026, 12:55 AMBrowns' Deshaun Watson gets awful Week 1 grade from Bleacher Report
NFL•Sep 17, 2026, 12:51 AMBrowns, Bucs injury report: 1 DNP, 6 limited on Wednesday
NFL•Sep 17, 2026, 12:49 AMCooper Rush aggravates back, still expected to start in season opener
NFL•Sep 17, 2026, 12:43 AMTexans have surprising injury concern of their own
