Browns Win But Did it Feel like It

Baker Mayfield Ugly in Win

While good enough in this matchup it must be better going forward. At one point during the game, Baker had completed 11 passes in 24 attempts. That can’t happen against good football teams and you still expect to win. Watching him last night, I kept coming back to my preview and what Booger Mcfarland said last night. You don’t always have to go for the home run ball. Baker was given chances to get yards by checking down but continued to force it downfield. This issue must be rectified by Baker and the coaching staff immediately. The next five games are against teams that are currently 2-0. This quarterback and offense must be better.

Use Nick Chubb More

Is there a rule now that when you are dominating in the ground game, you must stop and throw? Because at this point Kitchens has made it one. The numbers from Chubb, 18 carries for 62 yards, might make you think this guy is crazy. The flow of the game tells a different story. At the outset, Chubb found it difficult sledding, but as the game wore on holes began to open. The ground game gained steam culminating in a 19-yard scamper to the endzone for Chubb with 10:13 left in the second quarter.

Chubb had carried the ball eight times in just over a quarter of play. He then was given ten carries the rest of the game. Only four of those came between that touchdown and the 12:50 mark of the fourth quarter. WHY? Chubbed had gashed the Jets defense with a 19-yard run? But Kitchens goes back to a pass-heavy offense with the lead killing any momentum built in the running game. Nick Chubb is a weapon that can make life more comfortable in the passing game, but you must utilize him consistently throughout a game.

ODell Beckham Jr. lights up New York

Back in New York for the first time since being traded to the Browns OBJ lit up the Jets defense for 161 yards and a touchdown. He also had the play of the night going 89 yards for a touchdown on a play-action pass from Baker Mayfield. In his first two games with the Browns OBJ has already racked up 232 yards on 13 receptions with a touchdown. With an average of 17.4 yards per catch this season, he has brought what the Browns expected to the passing game. As long as he is happy and healthy, it should be another stellar season for OBJ.

Myles Garrett and the Defense

Myles Garrett is on pace for 40 sacks through two games. Let that sink in. Conversely, he is on pace for 24 roughing the passer penalties. Now let that sink in. He has also had a few offsides penalties already this year. To be one of the best and win Defensive Player of the Year, you can’t continue to hurt the team with penalties. Myles is a beast, and he will get this all corrected as he is determined to be great. As for the rest of the defense, they did what they should have and dominated the Jets. They also played a solid game up until the turnovers began in Tennessee. The defense seems to be gelling nicely and should only get better as the year moves on. They will have their first legit test come Sunday night against Sean McVay and that LA Rams offense.

An Ugly Win is a Win

Sometimes you have to win ugly, and the Browns did that last night. They still have a lot to get right before the Rams come to town next Sunday night. Even with a rough start to the year, the Browns sit at 1-1 good for second in the division. Ben Rothlisberger is out for the year. The Bengals just got demolished by the 49ers. And the Ravens have yet to play a real NFL defense and barely beat Arizona. The Browns are clearly still in this but will need to prove themselves over the next five weeks.

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