The Browns lost to the Chargers in a nail-biter.
The Browns lost to the Chargers in a nail-biter, 47-42, due to the defense utterly collapsing in on themselves in the second half. Baker Mayfield was absolutely magnificent all game, but the Browns’ lack of reliable receivers was on display when the team couldn’t get separation.
The Browns rushing attack was never better, but running backs are only great in ties or leads because once you’re playing from behind with minimal time, the best running teams have to rely on passing. That has been the issue with the Browns’ all season, the receivers absolutely cannot get open when needed.
The Chargers receivers proved what a great receiving corp looked like, taking advantage of the Browns’ soft coverage time and time again throughout the game. Too much zone coverage allowed the Chargers to mount a comeback the Browns defense never should have allowed. Most of Justin Herbert’s big passes on the third or fourth down came against at Browns’ defense that was either running bad coverages or broken coverages; allowing for big gains or scores.
The Browns handled Herbert, for the most part, holding his completions to just 60%, a number you’d think would be much higher considering he threw for 398 yards. The Browns need to make some decesions on who to fix this defense, because it’s not going to get much better. The elite offenses of the league will continue to assault them deep all game.
These are issues that have plagued the defense for the last two years. Maybe it wasn’t the former player’s fault after all.
Three good
Baker Mayfield’s accuracy
Baker Mayfield looked much better with his torn left labrum being supported by a harness. He was able to roll out and utilize the tight ends for a lot of the game, while also hooking up with Rashard Higgins for a touchdown. Mayfield through the third quarter only made one bad throw, with all of the other incompletions either being balls he threw away or a dropped pass by Odell Beckham.
The offensive game plan
The Browns were able to establish Baker Mayfield’s rhythm very early in the game and it worked out well for the Browns. The team was able to see Mayfield be effective, which complimented the ultra-effective running game. Things mostly went to plan, even though the Browns offensive line took a beating.
The defensive front four
The Browns’ front four really made an impact, and before the secondary fell apart in the second half, the game looked like it was going to be a route. The front four, however, really stepped up getting a couple of sacks, forcing a turnover and recovering a fumble, and generally just being a wrecking ball of chaos.
Three bad
Baker Mayfield’s bravery
We love Baker Mayfield, he’s the team’s franchise guy and there’s no doubt about it. We’d like it if he took care of himself a bit better though. In the first half, Mayfield pitched a ball to a Browns player, and immediately tried to get out ahead of him to throw a block. We love the tenacity but maybe don’t throw your bad shoulder into other players until it’s fully healed?
Odell Beckham hates it easy
Odell Beckham continues to be a non-factor in the Browns offense and he cost the team a big conversation on fourth-down. Baker Mayfield hit him right in the hands but Beckham for whatever reason couldn’t bring it in. That dropped ball isn’t uncommon, as Beckham has routinely led the league in dropped passes in prior seasons.
Kevin Stefanski’s deceision making
While Kevin Stefanski’s play-calling was generally fine, his desire to play the analytics may hve costed the Browns’ the win. Had he decided to kick a field goal in the first half instead of going for it on fourth down, the Browns would’ve had a four-point lead in the final moments of the game. This isn’t the first time his gamble didn’t work, but it is one of the more obvious moments that directly hindered the team.
The Conclusion
The Browns are showing what their strengths are and what their weaknesses are. The Browns’ offensive line, defensive line, tight ends, quarterbacks, and corners are good. We know this. Everyone else is now very suspect.
The safeties are either not improved from last year or simply not ready. Either way that is a problem. This is not a team that can afford to blow leads, not in the AFC North. If the safeties you have aren’t ready, then this season could very easily be lost. The linebackers aren’t much better, but they at least have Jeremiah Owuwu-Koramoah and Sione Takitaki who have been either a consistent playmaker or a steady presence against the run depending on who you’re talking about.
The biggest revelation that fans need to accept right now is that these receivers are not big-time playmakers. Odell Beckham is a non-factor each week and generally has been like this since 2019. It’s very rare that Beckham is able to break a defense as he used to against the Giants and while he can still make circus catches, he can no longer break safeties over the top with his athleticism. Donovan Peoples-Jones had five receptions, one more than the four combined in the previous four games.
Anthony Schwartz and Demetric Felton are not making plays, and for whatever reason, Rashard Higgins is getting limited action despite his ability to get some sneaky separation down the field.
The tight ends are generally good, but David Njoku is the worst blocker the team has and it’s not even a debate. He’s a liability to the team because while he can get open and have a huge showing in the passing game, as he did today, relying on him to hold blocks is a gamble not worth taking. Taking him off the field all but ensures the team is running but keeping him on all but ensures you can’t.
The team has some issues they need to fix, least of all Stefanski’s desire to forgo easy points for analytical percentages.