That was a tough game to watch and to write about. It’s been 48 hours, so lets give it try. You have to give credit to the Raiders they played the Browns the way I thought the Browns would play them. Short passes and running the ball. It seemed like the Raiders were second and four to six yards all game long. The Raiders won the turnover battle and when they do they’re 4-0. This Browns defense is better when they get turnovers and they got none. The Browns defense just couldn’t get off the field. The first mistake by the Browns was when head coach Kevin Stefanski deferred and took the ball in the second half. This meant in the fourth quarter, the Browns would be playing into the wind. Rookie coach mistake and I know he won’t make that mistake again. So lets start with the few positives.
The offensive line as a whole played well. Their Pro Football Focus rating was 83.5 and allowed no pressures or sacks. So QB Baker Mayfield had a clean pocket all day. I was glad to see Stefanski still using roll outs on offense. As for the defense, DE Olivier Vernon finally showed up with two sacks. I just wish he was more consistent week to week. That’s it, that’s the list.
Now for the negatives. On offense, dropped passes. A ton of dropped passes. The Browns targeted WR Jarvis Landry eleven times and he had four catches. I don’t know if his ribs were the problem, but if they were, why not target someone else? Donovan Peoples-Jones only had four offensive snaps. Four. I don’t think the Browns targeted KhaDarel Hodge one time. As for the tight ends, after the red zone fumble by Harrison Bryant, I don’t think he was targeted again and Njoku just isn’t reliable. The running game was working, but again the Browns went away from it. They had 101 yards for a 4.7 average. The Browns had six offensive series, the least by and NFL team in a game since 1933. Yikes.
As for the defense, if this team doesn’t get any turnovers, it’s going to be a long day. And it was a long day. The linebackers on this team were non existent. Here are the PFF ratings for the linebackers: Takitaki 57.9, Wilson 29.1, Goodson 52.3 and Smith 67.0. Anything under 70 is below average. Through eight games the Browns defense has given up 195 first downs. They’re 26th in opponent third down conversions and 31st in opponent fourth down conversions. That is terrible. The defensive linemen were pushed off the line of scrimmage five to six yards down the field. There is one disturbing trend that developed in the first eight games. In the Browns three losses, they were out played at the line of scrimmage. My only problem with defensive coordinator Joe Woods, he is not scheming for the talent he has available. I think two plays by the Raiders sum up this game. On third and 17, the Raiders threw a screen pass and gained 16 yards. They go for it on fourth down and get the first down. The Browns defense has forced one punt in two games.
This team really misses RB Nick Chubb, RG Wyatt Teller, WR Odell Beckham and LB Jacob Phillips. The good news is DE Myles Garrett is fine after suffering a knee injury verses the Raiders. He and TE Austin Hooper will defiantly be back for the Houston game. Chubb and Teller are day to day. Cross your fingers both are back for Houston. As for the trading deadline today, I really don’t think GM Andrew Berry will pull off any major moves. He’s looking for players that can help this year and in the future. So players still on their rookie contracts or free agents that the Browns can resign. So no one year rental players. I would love to see a edge rusher or a line backer added, but I just don’t see it happening. Hopefully I’m wrong.
The Browns are 5-3 at the bye, which is better than I thought they would be. They need to rest up and get key players back. Hopefully the defensive coaching staff will have better schemes for the last eight games. The schedule is favorable for the Browns after the bye and I still expect them to make the playoffs. Everyone enjoy the bye week, stay safe and Go Browns.