Well, folks, this certainly was not how we wanted our Browns season to start, but nonetheless, here we are—sitting at 1-3. Questions continue at quarterback, even though Deshaun Watson’s play has improved. Nick Chubb has returned to practice, but it will be weeks or months until he comes to full form again and Amari Cooper seems to have a shaken confidence after last week’s four catches on eight targets with an egregious drop.
How did we get here? Inconsistency. That has been clear since the get-go and the inability to catch any rhythm on offense has really hurt this team and we have YET to score over 17 points as that came in the loss to the Cowboys. The lack of production is inexcusable with the talent we have on offense. You could argue that not playing starters in the preseason is a reason why, but after four games you should see more of a vast improvement. This team has a glaring issue without Nick Chubb being the catalyst of this team. Where is the leadership going to come from? Who steps up and says enough is enough? We as fans rightfully have a reason to be upset.
With four games into the year, you hate to use the term “must win” but it’s starting to be crunch time as the Browns travel to Washington. We simply can’t lose this week and expect to make the playoffs, bearing a late season run. Washington is HOT and I mean red hot. The rookie Jayden Daniels is looking exceptionally good so far and has his Commanders at 3-1 after losing the opener to Tampa.
What’s it going to take to slow down this team offensively? I think take the model after what the Bucs did to Washington… make Daniels beat you with his arm (I personally was at this game). We have a strong enough front four to get enough pressure on Jayden and we will have to rely on coverage to force him out of the pocket. His legs are dynamic and a game changer, so I think consistently having a spy out there will be needed. They also will be attempting to establish the run game with Brian Robinson Jr. having 100 yards 2/4 games this year. In the two games he didn’t, he didn’t reach 50 yards rushing but the team still managed to rush for over 100 yards. So, stopping the run and limiting the non-scripted plays should be number one on Jim Schwartz’s priorities this weekend.
What do we need to do offensively? Well, it sounds like a broken record at this point but ESTABLISHING THE RUN GAME. In the sole win, this season is, frankly, the only time we have run over 100 yards as a team. Washington is averaging 40 points per game the last two weeks so we must keep that offense on the sideline and win the Time of Possession. Another point I’d like to make is Watson needs to play well. He simply needs to live up to that 230-million-dollar price tag. We aren’t paying him to be a game manager or to not score 20 points in a game. The fault isn’t only on Watson himself; the blame should be passed around to Stefanski along with Ken Dorsey as well. I mean look at what Green Bay did with Malik Willis and how they schemed the offense to cater to his strengths, coming up with a win. The Browns need to emulate that- whichever way that may be…
I just hope that comes sooner, rather than later.
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