Victory Monday part four, you can breathe again Browns fans. This team is now officially the Kardiac Kids 2.0. Was it a perfect game by the Browns, no. Well maybe the special teams (PFF grade of 90.3, highest in team history). Yes, there is a problem at the quarterback position. Also, the defense got used and abused by Gardner Minshew for the majority of the game. For five games the defense played out of its mind but lost the turnover battle. This game they can’t stop the Colts consistently and win the turnover battle. The NFL is such a weird league.
Let’s start with the quarterback position. Deshaun Watson had no reason to be playing in that game. I don’t care if it was only five passes, he was not ready. As the fans wait for a health report on Watson, alternatives have to be discussed. I’ve heard fans want to bring back Jacoby Brissett. No thanks, he’s a career backup who wins one and loses two. They already have that in P.J. Walker. I’m leaning towards Kirk Cousins. He’s on a team going nowhere, he has a no trade clause to prevent him from going to a team where he has to learn a new offense and he’s in the last year of his contract. The Browns and Vikings have already worked out a trade this season, (Za’Darius Smith), Cousin’s already knows Stefanski’s offense and if he’s successful, it increases his value in free agency. I’m not saying cut Watson, but if his injury is a season long thing, put him on IR and go get Cousins on a one-year rental. It’s just a thought, but the team can’t call up P.J. Walker again unless the sign him to the active roster.
Remember went the biggest worry for Browns fans was a kicker would cost the team the playoffs. Dustin Hopkins is now seven for seven on field goals of 50 yards or more. He’s the only kicker in NFL history to hit a 50 yarder in five straight games and he kicked a career long 58 yarder. What can you say about Myles Garrett? First time a player to have two sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick in a game. He carried this team to a victory. DT Jordan Elliott and DT Dalvin Tomlinson have had two great games. On offense, the offensive line has found its rhythm and Jed Wills had another good game. All three running backs played well. Kareem Hunt looked like Kareem Hunt from two years ago.
As for opposing fans complaining about the Browns benefiting from poor officiating, shut up. Since 1999, NFL officials have found the most obscure rules to screw the Browns. For two straight games, the ball has bounced the Browns way. About damn time.
Pro Football Focus rankings. Offense, TE David Njoku (75.4), RB Jerome Ford (71.6), RT Dawand Jones (70.5), RG Wyatt Teller (66.0) and C Ethan Pocic (65.2). Defense, DE Myles Garrett (94.2), DT Dalvin Tominson (78.7) S Juan Thornhill (71.9), CB Denzel Ward (66.1) and DT Shelby Harris (60.8). The signings of Shelby Harris, Juan Thornhill and Maurice Hurst, the trades for Za’Darius Smith and Dustin Hopkins and the drafting of Dawand Jones have been moves by GM Andrew Berry that are paying big dividends. Jones had 40 pass blocking repetitions and allowed one pressure and zero sacks.
Now the team heads to Seattle where the Browns have only won three times. This is not going to be an easy game. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz needs to fix what the Colts offense did to the Browns defense. I guarantee the Seahawk’s coaching staff is watching the tape frame by frame. Let’s all hope the quarterback decision comes quickly this week. Stay safe and Go Browns.