Will Browns' aggressive defense neutralize Lamar Jackson?

The Cleveland Browns defense is really good. So good that they've given up third-fewest yards allowed (491) after the first three games since 1970. Their defense is elite, per Pro Football Focus rankings, where they're second in PFF defensive grading (87.5), third in run defense (77.5) and second in pass rush (90.1).

As good as the Browns (2-1) defense has been this season, they've done it against a banged-up Joe Burrow and two mediocre QBs in Ryan Tannehill and Kenny Pickett. This week will be different. They'll be facing the Baltimore Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Jackson's completing 73.3 percent of his passes (second best in the NFL) with 608 yards through the air and 193 yards on the ground. Jackson's dual-threat capabilities and being the lifeblood of the Ravens offense isn't lost on Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. 

Schwartz won't take the cautious approach with Jackson. Expect pressure and blitzes thrown his way. If Jackson's to succeed against Cleveland, he'll have to evade defensive end Myles Garrett, who is coming off a 3.5-sack performance against the Tennessee Titans. 

"We’re gonna rely on our team speed, we’re gonna rely on team defense," Schwartz said, per NFL.com's Nick Shook. "We’re gonna rely on running through with leverage and try to take the fight to him as opposed to sitting back and trying to hem him in.”

The Browns defense has fared well with the aggressive schematics, and they've been great in pass coverage and excellent stopping the run. The Browns have allowed just 52 rushing yards per game and 111.7 passing yards allowed per game. If they can keep up this prolific pace, albeit unlikely, they'd rank among the best defenses in NFL history. And their tilt against Baltimore will be a great test.

Schwartz called Jackson one of the best athletes in the NFL. It'll be a tall task, but their plan is to get him on the ground and tackle him "like he's a running back."

"Just because the ball's in his hand doesn't mean that he's still not a threat to run," Schwartz said. "We're gonna try to be physical. If he does run, we're gonna try to play our game and put some hits on him and those kinds of things."

Schwartz sounds focused in on Jackson's rushing abilities, but he and Cleveland must be prepared for what he can do throwing the ball, too. Per PFF, Jackson's the most accurate QB on targets past the sticks this season. 

Schwartz has gotten the best out of the defense, and the Browns-Ravens game will be a great chess match against two AFC North rivals. Cleveland plans to stay as aggressive as usual, and the Ravens won't be changing their brand of football either. If the Ravens can win in the trenches, they'll come out victorious. But if the Browns play as good as they have to this point, it'll be Baltimore that's in trouble.