The best way to give away games is to allow the other team to run against you at will. Especially up the middle.
Last year, this happened to this Cleveland defense numerous times. 184 yards against New England. Baltimore had 148 yards followed by 118. Arizona had 144. And who could forget Pittsburgh’s Najee Harris as the Steelers compiled 115 yards in Week 8 and then with a playoff berth on the line for the Browns, Harris busted out for 188 of the 190 total rushing yards.
Part of the problem is the 4-2-5 defense that DC Joe Woods will usually implement because it takes out a valued run stopper at middle linebacker and instead inserts another defensive back - usually another safety.