Just a day earlier, the Cleveland Browns were enjoying a decisive 34-10 victory Sunday over the Detroit Lions. The loss only added fuel to the fire on the growing scrutiny over Joe Flacco’s performance, as he’s had a tough time getting his groove this year. The Browns are threading the needle on a lot of issues at the moment. Head coach Kevin Stefanski emphasized that these problems are more than the play of one player.
In the fiery aftermath of that game, the blank scoreboard for any Browns fan became an object of swirling analysis. Between three turnovers on Sunday’s preseason-finale that raised his season tally to alleged backup-Kirk cousins eight Keenum giveaways. His inconsistency has made him a mystery and an enigma that has mystified fans and analysts alike. For his part, Stefanski did not shy away from Flacco’s issues. Maybe most importantly, he echoes that belief in the quarterback decision, that the offensive troubles stretch beyond just that one position.
“We have to play better as an offense,” – Kevin Stefanski
To make matters worse, the Browns’ offensive line has had disastrous luck with injuries. The team has employed four different starting lineup combinations in the past four games. This effect of the change has led to a leaking sieve pass protection scheme. The offensive line’s performance has become a liability, particularly highlighted by Cornelius Lucas’s difficulties against Lions’ defender Aidan Hutchinson. Lucas was repeatedly left on an island and buried by Hutchinson’s constant assaults.
KT Leveston currently sits 57th out of 66 qualifying tackles in pass block win rate. Lucas is right behind him at 61st, amplifying the issues in keeping Flacco’s butt protected. With a line so shaky, the Browns have struggled to get in any kind of groove on offense.
In spite of these challenges, the Browns have been very successful at the podium and beyond. Here’s the concerning part, though: they are 10th in run block win rate. That means their ground game is much more of a staple even amidst the chaos they’re experiencing. 6) The offense is still trying to figure things out on its end. They are averaging just 14 points per game, which is the second-lowest scoring output in the NFL after four weeks.
On top of QB issues and a busted O-line, dropped passes have turned the Browns’ wideout corps into one of the worst nightmares imaginable. Cedric Tillman’s game-changing drop that became an interception. At the same time as this incredible touchdown catch, Jerry Jeudy was catching heat for dropping two-straight passes that would have resulted in beautiful completions. This trend is not a great shocker. Annoyingly, earlier in the season, Jeudy and Harold Fannin Jr. missed back to back passes in a Week 1 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. As a group, the Browns have put it on the ground eight times in four games—the second highest in the league.
“I got to make that damn play,” – Jerry Jeudy
In light of these ongoing issues, Stefanski reiterated his stance that improvement must come from all facets of the offense. He stated, “We have to coach better on offense. It’s not about one person. There are so many things that we need to do better and obviously quarterback included, but this is not about one person.” His remarks show much more than a realization of their shared predicament, but a willingness to openly acknowledge and work on those issues together.
Look no further than the Cleveland Browns’ aggressive recent efforts to fortify their offensive line. They recently signed Cam Robinson, formerly of the Houston Texans. This supplemental money comes just in time to give these teams a little extra runway as they try to solidify their own front lines and shore up pass protection.
The Browns come out of the bye, they’re at a critical juncture in their season. Yet now, they’re under extraordinary pressure to be better, especially on the offensive side of the ball. To poach their downfall into success, they need to address their myriad failures.
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