The Cleveland Browns are 3-3 and the alarms are ringing, with some both local and national pundits declaring Kevin Stefanski’s team as the biggest disappointment of the the 2021 season.
For as much money was poured into the defensive, the stocks of some players are crashing.
The Cleveland Browns have a problem beating good teams, a conundrum that dates back to the 2020 season. Pounding the doormats proved productive for last year’s Browns though, as a playoff berth awaited.
If Stefanski is going to get his squad back to the postseason, they’re going to have to find a way to pull out a victory.
This one looked like an easy win back when the schedule came out, but injuries are certainly making thing interesting. For what it’s worth, the early line from WynnBET has Cleveland as four-point favorites, even with Cleveland’s long list of injuries.
This one is at home, which helps, and its imperative the Browns win jus to keep pace with the rest of the AFC North.
Baltimore has Lamar Jackson, but their defense has been incredible is a huge reason the Ravens are 5-1. The Bengals franchise quarterback has his team at 4-2. They’ve got some easy wins, but a little confidence can go a long way for a team like that.
Even the Steelers keep hanging around, when they were supposed to be left for dead.
The Browns need a win on Thursday night agains the Broncos, and here’s five reasons why they’ll get it.
1. Cleveland Browns defense due to shape up
Defensively, the Cleveland Browns have put forth a deplorable effort the past two weeks–especially in the secondary as Joe Woods’ defensive backs have left some of the best wide receivers in the league wide open.
What indicates the Browns might be better?
Playing the Broncos and Teddy Bridgewater helps. The Denver fan base is getting fed up after the Broncos failed to secure a franchise quarterback in last spring’s draft. Instead, they were left with Drew Lock vs. Bridgewater.
Bridgewater threw for three scores and over 300 yards against the Raiders last week, but only because Denver got down early. He also threw three picks and tried to force the ball downfield without much success.
Plus, while Cleveland’s secondary is terrible, the Browns’ defensive line is getting the job done, especially the combination of Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney at defensive end.
They’re going up against a line that just surrendered a season-high 35 pressures, according to PFF.
2. Cleveland Browns still have weapons
The injury list is running long, but the Browns still have weapons. If Baker Mayfield can’t play, Case Keenum is more than capable of running the offense. For $6 million per season, he’d better be!
At wideout, the Browns still have Odell Beckham Jr. Sidebar: Aren’t you a little curious to see if Keenum can cook anything up with OBJ? Aside from the polarizing wideout, Donovan Peoples-Jones is coming off his best game of the season, while it’s worth pointing out Stefanski barely utilized his tight ends last week.
Sure, drops from Austin Hooper and David Njoku didn’t help, this scheme loves its tight ends and they were a non-factor last week. I’d expect Stefanski to correct this issue heading into Thursday night.
The big misses are Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. We know the later won’t play, and it’s unlikely Chubb will be able to give it a go either. He, like Hunt is battling a calf injury, while degrees of injury vary, it’s just hard to believe Chubb will play four days after he was ruled out.
The Browns never got D’Ernest Johnson and Demetric Felton going last week, and that has to change. If the Browns can’t run, they’re in trouble.
3. Whomever plays QB will have time
Last week was a tough one to watch, as Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield took five sacks. One of those hits flared up the injured labrum on his non-throwing shoulder.
Baker came out with a “Rah-Rah” attitude after the game, telling the media he expects to play Thursday night, even though his shoulder doesn’t feel great.
I expect Mayfield to play, but even if it’s backup Case Keenum, Cleveland’s signal caller shouldn’t be under major duress.
The Broncos down linemen are better at stopping the run, evidenced by last week when they allowed just 3.7 yards per rush. With heavy doses of Felton and Johnson expected, that’s problematic.
Fortunately, they didn’t get home on quarterback David Carr. Broncos pass rushers had just 14 pressures, and Von Miller had eight of those. Stop Miller, and you’re going to give your quarterback the time he needs, which could be key as the Browns try to overcome injury at their best offensive skill position.
4. Cleveland Browns coach Stefanski set to rebound
The Cleveland Browns coach is facing the most scrutiny he’s ever seen in his year and a half on the job.
A lot of things he did last week just didn’t make sense, coming gout with five receivers spread wide against a team that’s terrible in stopping the run. The Browns weren’t the same at running back, but still, the decision was odd.
Then, there’s the whole 4th-down failure problem he needs to fixed. He’s 6-of-15 this season and 12-of-34 over his two seasons here.
Ok, so like the defense, why are you just hoping Stefanski is due to break out?
I look back at 2020 with hope. The Browns were blown out by Baltimore, 38-6 in the opener. They rebounded with a win against a lesser opponent (Cincinnati), which was also on a Thursday night.
That victory set the tone for the season, with Cleveland going on a three-game winning streak en route to the playoffs.
This victory could also set up Cleveland for the rest of their season. After Denver, they get Pittsburgh at home, Bengals in Cincy, Pats in Foxboro and Lions at home. Except for the Lions, those aren’t locks, but they’re winnable games.
5. Time to pick apart another team
This Browns team is capable of scoring points, and while injuries will play a factor in this one, it’s worth watching to see if the Browns take some shots down field.
They’re secondary’s best player is probable rookie corner Patrick Surtain II.
If I’m Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, instead, I’m looking at Ronald Darby, who gave up a five receptions on five targets last week, surrounding there first downs and a touchdown in the process.
Bryce Callahan was vulnerable as well, allowing three receptions on four targets for 86 yards.
Going back to the rushing attack, without Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, Browns backs don’t need to set any records, rather, they need to be effective so Stefanski can get the play action rolling. It’s THE key to unlocking this offense.
If possible, and I believe Johnson and Felton can get it done, receivers and tight ends should be open and the Browns should get back to their scoring ways.