Don’t get me wrong, a much needed win for the Browns. As I watched, I never felt the Browns were going to lose this game, just frustrated they didn’t score more points. If that’s the Browns biggest problem, winning but not scoring more, I’ll take it. The Browns did what they had to do. The positives out weighted the negatives. Sure, Mayfield was off most of the night, but still hit when he was needed. I don’t know how much of it was Gregg William’s defensive play calling, how much was lack of flow or if Mayfield’s hand is still bothering him. Baker still hasn’t started 16 games yet, so I’ll give him a break. Plus, he didn’t have his security blanket, Higgins. After Njoku got hurt, the lack of depth at the tight end position was alarming. Pharaoh Browns still looks lost and uninspired and Demetrius Harris is just not that good. I didn’t see Ricky Seals-Jones play any, so I can’t really judge him. Maybe he’s still learning the offense. On Defense, Denzel Ward has had two of his worst games so far. You got to wonder if all the concussions he’s had are affecting his tackling technique.
Now the positives. The Browns won by 20. Odell Beckham, Jr. A spectacular one handed catch and an 89 yard catch and run for a touchdown, the longest of his career. Tony Grossi,@TonyGrossi, said on the radio today, that the Browns haven’t had a wide receiver like this since Paul Warfield. I couldn’t agree more. I don’t care if Beckham wears a watch on each wrist and on each ankle. Nick Chubb was classic Nick Chubb on his 19 yard touchdown run. Why he didn’t have the ball in his hands late in the fourth quarter is something I don’t understand. The offensive line was better, very solid, but still too much pressure coming from the tackle positions. I think the plays coming into the game from the sideline took too long and this causes the offensive line too long to wait in their stances. Freddie needs to get plays in quicker or go up tempo, no huddle. It looks like Mayfield is being allowed to call more plays at the line of scrimmage. If that’s the case, get the plays in quicker to allow Mayfield to read the defense. This isn’t a positive, but since I’m discussing the play calling, Mayfield needs to get rid of the ball quicker. Holding the ball over 2.5 seconds will get him killed.
Less penalties. Yes there were still too many, but less than the fiasco of the week one game. I know Myles Garrett was called for 5 penalties, but I don’t care, because he had 3 sacks. I really don’t think the first offside penalty was correct. He looked like he timed it perfectly, but because he’s so fast I knew he would get called for it. I don’t think the second roughing the passer should have been called, but again understand why. LB’s Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey were all over the field making plays and I’m very impressed with Greedy Williams. Morgan Burnett played a great game, as did Eric Murray.
Lastly the special teams. Seibert looked confident in his kicks and his mechanics were a lot cleaner. The Scottish Hammer was outstanding. He finally had a punt returned and his last punt was the most impressive. I know there is a different spin on the ball from a left footed kicker than a right footed kicker, but his last punt had a backwards spin on it that kept it out of the end zone. The coverage teams were very good. I love it when Seibert puts the kick off just barely in the end zone or just barely out of the end zone. Forces the other teams into a return and the coverage was there.
I still think the offense is at about 65% complete. But there is still plenty of time to right the ship. The next four games are going to be a true test. Freddie needs to clean up the play calling. That will help Mayfield get rid of the ball quicker. The Browns have to get better at converting on third downs. Also, getting Nick Chubb more involved and getting Higgins back will help. The Browns are a 2.5 point underdog at home to the Rams and that plays right into the hands of the Browns. They seem to play better as an underdog and with the lights of Sunday night football at home, this should be a good one.
Lastly, I never celebrate another teams misfortune, that includes the steelers. Big Ben is out for the season. As a Browns fan you know what’s going to happen, The steelers will stink, get a top five pick and pick their next quarterback of the future. No wait, they traded that pick. Oh well looks like Big Ben is planning to come back. By the way, the worst teams in the league are Miami, the Jets , the Giants and the Bengals. I’d put the Cardinals on that list, but I think they’ll be fun to watch and they really put a scare into the Ravens this past Sunday. One last thought how does ESPN still keep Booger MacFarland on the payroll? He’s God awful. Home game against the Rams up next. Go Browns.