Factory Of Sadness
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3 reasons Deshuan Watson and the Cleveland Browns may struggle in 2023

By Chad Porto

Dec 11, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) takes the field before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) takes the field before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is hit by Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 14 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022. The Bengals improved to 9-4 with a 23-10 win over the Browns.Cleveland Browns At Cincinnati Bengals Week 14
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is hit by Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader (98) in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 14 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022. The Bengals improved to 9-4 with a 23-10 win over the Browns.Cleveland Browns At Cincinnati Bengals Week 14 /

A declining offensive line

The Cleveland Browns were 6th last year in sacks with 49 sacks, and while that number is significantly lower this year (24th with 27), that isn’t because the offensive line got better. No, the pass-blocking has been bad all year, it’s just that the Browns didn’t lean as hard on the pass this year as they did last year with Baker Mayfield. In 2021, there were still a lot of deep shots taken during the season, far more five and seven-step drops last year as opposed to this year with Jacoby Brissett. They game-planned better and minimized the offensive line’s limitations against the pass rush.

But with Watson, that desire to go vertical is once again seeping into the offense, as it should. You don’t have big-arm quarterbacks like Mayfield and Watson and not use them. Brissett didn’t have the same power in his throws, so it was easier to avoid situations where you had Brissett drop back and chuck it.

The line is getting older, and more broken and the best are making bone-headed plays. Wyatt Teller led the Browns in penalties in 2021 and is third in 2022. The two men ahead of him this year? Jack Conklin is in second and Jedrick Wills is in first.

The line is falling apart physically and mentally. Yes, there has been a drop-off in production since Ethan Pocic went down, but he, at best, only served to keep the running game going as it was. He was still not a good pass-blocker. The same can be said for Wyatt Teller and Jedrick Wills. None of those three men are posting good figures this year.

They’re fine, dare I say even average, but they’re getting older. Slower. They’re plagued by mental mistakes and issues with a rotating carousel of quarterbacks. This offensive line is not the same one from 2020 and fans need to accept that.

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