Browns: Sacked In Final Game Of The Year
By Joe Russo
Rapid Reaction: Second Half
If you need an example of why quarterback Johnny Manziel‘s feet are such a strong asset for this offense, look no further than the film on quarterback Austin Davis from this game. He was not able to allude a pass rush and in the second half, threw a bad pick at the goal line and fumbled while running backwards in the pocket in the fourth quarter.
Davis lost just over 60 yards on sacks alone. It is tough to go forward when your quarterback runs in reverse.
Somehow, the run defense played an exceptional game. Sure, it was aided by the injury to running back DeAngelo Williams. However, for a team in control, the Steelers did not run because they could not run against the Browns front, just like the game in Pittsburgh. It may not have been a good year at all for the run defense, but the week to week improvement in the second half of the year was visible in this game as well.
When the Browns needed plays down the stretch, they just did not have the type of player that actually makes a difference. Aside from tight end Gary Barnidge, the Browns trotted out wide receivers Travis Benjamin, Darius Jennings, and Terrelle Pryor as pass catching options. When you compare that to the list of guys suited up on the other sideline, it is easy to understand why Davis struggled so much in high pressure moments.
Roethlisberger has lit up the Browns secondary this year. Today he went 24/36 for 349 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. When you add in his record-breaking performance earlier in the year (as a back up), Roethlisberger’s 2015-2016 line against the Browns is 46/69 for 728 yards, 6 touchdowns, 3 interceptions. That is incredible.
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