Happy victory Monday Browns fans. The Browns did what they had to do to, win. The Washington Football team isn’t very good and the Browns were expected to win this game, but all Browns fans know, nothing with the Browns is a certainty. Especially after a terrible third quarter which saw Washington score thirteen unanswered points and grab the lead late in the third quarter. Lucky the Browns scored on the next drive and were given short fields because of Washington turnovers which led to another touchdown and a field goal. Game over.
First the positives. This offensive line is fantastic. Sure rookie LT Jedrick Wills had a couple false starts, but for this group to mesh so quickly is a testament to Offensive Line coach Bill Callahan. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are the best running back duo in the NFL. The Browns had 158 yards rushing. Any time a team can run for 150 yards or more is a good day. Wide receiver Odell Beckham only had four catches, but they all went for first downs. Beckham’s best play was as a defender, knocking down a sure interception. QB Baker Mayfield had a good day, but still looks a little impatient in the pocket. It could be he’s still learning the offense. The one thing I love about this offense, it plays perfectly into Mayfields strengths.
On defense, the defensive line is getting the job done. DE Myles Garrett had two sacks and a fumble recovery and DT Sheldon Richardson added another sack. The Browns got five turnovers including three interceptions. One by S Karl Joseph, one by LB Malcolm Smith and one by LB B.J. Goodson. All three interceptions led to Browns touchdowns. That’s how you make the opposing team pay for their mistakes. For the second week in a row, key players on the defense stepped up and made plays when they had to.
I was glad to see kicker Cody Parkey kicking the ball out of the end zone on kick offs and was perfect on two field goals and four extra points. It was refreshing. I know it’s only his third game as a head coach, but nothing seems to bother Kevin Stefanski. Even though the running game wasn’t working at the beginning of the game, he stuck with it and it paid off.
As for the negatives, Mayfield almost threw another interception and again had an intentional grounding. He was sacked twice, but Washington has one hell of a defensive line. As for the Browns defense, they seemed to disappear in the third quarter. Too many wide open receivers for Washington. Hopefully the Browns will get injured players back this week. CB Greedy Williams needs to get healthy for Dallas. You could tell LB Mack Wilson and CB Kevin Johnson were still knocking off some rust. Finally, wide receiver/kick returner Jo Jo Natson has been lost for the year with a torn ACL. It could be Donovan Peoples-Jones time.
Now it’s on to Dallas. The Cowboys are 1-2 and could easily be 0-3 if not for a Falcons team who still hasn’t gotten over their historical loss to the Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Browns defense will need to play a complete game because the Cowboys are loaded on offense. As for the Dallas defense, they have trouble stopping teams who use a lot of play action and right now the Browns are doing exceptionally well at play action. Dallas has allowed 126.6 passer rating in the secondary, worst in the NFL. Enjoy being 2-1 Browns fans. Everyone stay safe, Go Tribe and Go Browns.