The narrative after Sunday’s loss to the Jets will be the offense took a step back. The truth is the offense wasn’t that great to begin with. The three late game wins by the Browns helped to cover up how bad the offense has been. When a team can’t run the ball, the opposing defense loads the box and dares the opposing QB to beat them. Until the Browns can effectively run the ball, that’s how games are going to go. The offensive line must create gaps in the defense, and the running backs must anticipate those gaps. It’s a team effort. Better playcalling could be a solution. With 4:12 left in the game, the Browns had the ball on the Jets 43-yard line thanks to a strip sack by linebacker Carson Schwesinger. Cleveland was leading by two and all they had to do was run the ball to get the Jets to start using their timeouts. First play, running back Quinshon Judkins ran out of bounds. Not good. The next two plays were incomplete passes. Cleveland ran ten seconds off the clock. Play’s two and three should have been runs. Put in the short yardage offense and power through. Make the Jet’s use those timeouts. Of course, all this was mute, because a bad snap on the punt gave the Jets a short field.
How do you fix this problem? First of all, less shotgun formations. When a QB is under center, after the ball is snaped, he turns his back to the defense which freezes the opposing linebackers. If you absolutely have to be in the shotgun, then run more RPO’s. Watson has shown he can run the ball and an effective RPO works with his skillset. The biggest weakness of the running game is no inline tight end. A good blocking tight end lined up next to a tackle would give the running back at least a chance. The bad news, Judkins and Rocket Sanders are hurt. The good news the Browns signed former Notre Dame running back Audric Estime off the Vikings practice squad. I loved the guy coming out of college. Plus, Dylan Sampson could return to practice this week, but I doubt he’ll play.
My next question is why the first series isn’t scripted. There was no rhythm to the first series in both in this game and the previous game against the Steelers. Yet, both the Steelers and the Jets went on long drives for scores in the first quarter. After that the defense settled in and harassed Gino Smith and Aaron Rogers all game. We know the Browns use a game plan with WR KC Concepcion being the feature player. After the dirty hit by you know who, the offense didn’t adjust to feature either Jeudy or Boston. Instead, they featured a receiver who is extremely inconsistent. Also, where was Harold Fannin. It was implied he was being used as a decoy in the first half. If that’s the case, then that’s stupid. A good receiving tight end helps the short passing game which helps the running game.
Finally, the Browns have to protect Watson better or at least gameplan to protect Watson better. He was sacked eight times and two or three of those sacks were on Watson., the rest were on the offensive line. I hope Tytus Howard is healthy for the Ravens, because Dawand Jones is not the answer. The Cleveland offense wasted a great game by the defense. As for the special teams, this team is so young, one mistake can cost the Browns the game. Stay safe and Go Browns.