Resilience Led To Dominance For Browns
Photo Credit: Andrew Nelles via USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns can probably sympathize with the Tennessee Titans — the Browns looked about as bad last week as the Titans did in their loss this week. On an afternoon when Tennessee seemed to do nothing right, the Titans left Cleveland with their tail tucked between their legs.
An early Browns turnover kept things interesting. The Browns’ defense held Tennessee to negative yardage on the series but did give up a field goal. It would be the only three points the Titans scored all day.
Other than that, it was all Cleveland all afternoon — on both sides of the ball. It may have been one of the most one-sided wins I can remember since 1999.
Things don’t get any easier for the Browns as they prepare to host the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers in back-to-back weeks. They bought themselves a little breathing room with Sunday’s victory, at least. Let’s discuss the big Browns’ takeaways from what happened.
Resilience
After the disastrous loss last Monday Night where Deshaun Watson looked awful, Nick Chubb was lost for the season, and the Browns dropped a game they still should have won, I knew this week would go one of two ways.
I feared this locker room would be divided after the offense was so bad last week (they gave up 14 points!). Instead, the team came together and played a complete football game. The passion they played with shows that Stefanski is in full control and knows how to motivate his men.
The defense gave up three points on the one drive they started with a short field, special teams executed flawlessly, and the offense scored points and controlled the clock throughout the second half. It doesn’t get much better than that if you’re a browns fan.
Watson Finally Shines
Although I was skeptical until the middle of the second quarter, there is no denying that Watson had his coming-out party in Cleveland.
He ended his day 27/33 for 263 yards and two touchdowns. Not only was he efficient with the short passes and kept the chains moving, he also had great touch on deep passes and caused multiple obvious defensive pass interference penalties.
Perhaps the best thing I saw today was the interaction between Stefanski and Watson after he hit the long one to Cooper that officially sealed the game in the fourth quarter. It was like they both knew they were setting that play up all day, and when it finally happened they were both so excited.
what was that you were saying? 👂 pic.twitter.com/IRLAxfCqva
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 24, 2023
Yes, the Titans’ offense looked like a Division Two college team today, but this defensive front seven is no joke. So for Watson to have such a good day against a top-10 defense means something, and the fanbase can finally stop holding their breath waiting for Watson to show what he’s capable of.
The Ravens are banged up but have one of the best coaching staffs in the league. There is no doubt that they will have their team prepared to come to Cleveland for a game that will determine the leader of the AFC North.
Problems Remain Up Front
Even though Watson was nearly flawless on Sunday afternoon, there is still a major problem up front in pass protection, and you can tell it affects him.
If you watch the film, anytime the Titans failed to get pressure on Watson, his completion percentage was close to 100. He made his progressions and displayed pinpoint accuracy.
The issue is, Watson was still sacked three times, and far too often he had to be a magician to escape pressure. A quarterback with even average athleticism could have ended up getting sacked three or four more times.
While Wyatt Teller is on my last nerve in pass protection, the bigger issue is at left tackle. Rookie Dawand Jones, who made his second-ever NFL start, is substantially better and didn’t have his name called once on Sunday, which is an offensive lineman’s dream.
Jedrick Wills not only continues to get beat around the edge like a drum, but he also gives very little effort and consistently looks lost on the field. James Hudson was inactive with an injury this week, but I’m really hoping we start to see him get some reps at tackle.
Yes, Watson needs to improve when the pressure is on him, but this offensive line continues to give up way too much pressure, particularly to four-man fronts.
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