If you had told me before the game the Browns defense would hold Joe Burrow to 114 yards passing and a QBR of 87.7, I would say how much did the Browns win by. Not so much. After a slow start, the defense was as advertised, great. Team leader and all-pro defensive end Myles Garrett took over the game, right when the team need him to take over the game. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger was great as were Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome. Isaiah McGuire was everywhere. My only complaint was they need to be that dominate from the start and do a better job at stopping the run.
The offense was also very good. Quarterback Joe Flacco had one hell of a game, and the two interceptions weren’t his fault. Rookie tight end Harold Fannin and rookie running back Dylan Sampson were better than advertised. Hopefully, running back Quinshon Judkins will be able to play this week against Baltimore, because right now the Browns need to find a way to run the ball. Cincinnati’s defense came into this game as one of the worst run defenses in the league, but they had a great game plan. The Browns offense worked the short field and side to side perfectly in the passing game. If only they had a more dominate running game. I’ve always been a Jerome Ford defender, not anymore. Cleveland has a two-game roster exemption for Judkins, so after those two games I’d cut Ford and keep Raheim Sanders as the third back. My only problem with the offensive line was Dawand Jones. He’s never been a great run blocker, but too many penalties. BTW, the OL did a good job creating holes for the running backs, but the running backs weren’t hitting those holes.
Special teams were average at best and I’m not talking about the kicker missing an extra point and a field goal. The coverage teams gave up too much, especially on one punt return. You have a great weapon in Cory Bojorquez, don’t diminish him by allowing long punt returns. I’ve been told the kicker situation is fluid right now. If I had to guess, they’ll keep Szmyt on the roster this week and let him work through this. He kicked very well in the preseason and beat out the incumbent veteran, so they’ll give him one more chance. But it’ll be a short leash. The fact is there aren’t any good kickers available, only guys the Browns have cut before because they had trouble kicking at Huntington Bank Field.
Next game, at Baltimore where they’ll be celebrating stealing the Browns from Cleveland. Happy thirty years of screw you Ravens. Stay safe and Go Browns.