Cleveland Browns: 5 reasons Browns bounce back vs Panthers in Week 14

Chubb back in the game plan

Expect Nick Chubb to play more of a role for Freddie Kitchens in this one.

The Browns interim offensive coordinator couldn’t use his breakout star all that much against the Texans because Cleveland found itself behind early.

Chubb was the Browns lone rusher, carrying the ball just nine times.

It will be paramount for  Kitchens to inject Chubb in the game to take some of the pressure off Mayfield, and with the score now reset at zero, the running back can go back to being a key part of the game plan.

As you’ve read, the Panthers defense, and secondary especially, is reeling. If Chubb has success running the ball, Mayfield will likely be able to have his way against the Panthers.

Even after what amounted to an off-day in Houston, Pro Football Focus still grades Chubb as the highest graded rookie running back, ahead of No. 2 overall pick Saquon Barkley.

The second-round pick is doing his best to break the analytics site, based off the 4.59 yards per average he gains after contact.

According to PFF, that total is the highest that’s ever been charted for a runner with 100-plus attempts.

PFF started tracking this stuff in 2006, so what Chubb’s doing is pretty historic for that 12-year span.

Some other PFF stats:

• Chubb forcing one missed tackle on every four carries. That ranks fifth among running backs with at least 100 attempts.

• It’s not not just the rookie field Chubb is running over. He leads the league (minimum 250 snaps) in overall grade (88.2), taking the second spot and trailing only the Chargers’ Melvin Gordon (90.7).