The Cleveland Browns fell to the Washington Commanders in their second preseason game Friday night, dropping a 17-15 heartbreaker on a failed two-point conversion in the final minutes.
Much has been made of the reconstructed and revitalized Browns offense, and overall, the team did not disappoint. Cleveland Browns starter Deshaun Watson was perfect in his pass attempts. Rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson continued to earn a spot in the hearts and minds of the Browns fans. And the Browns’ first-string defense was equally impressive, adding much pressure on the Commanders quarterbacks.
In a night that saw the game delayed by nearly 90 minutes after severe weather blew over the lakefront, the Browns learned a lot about their 2023 team. Let’s break it down.
5 Takeaways from the Second Cleveland Browns Preseason Game
Deshaun Watson Looks Confident and Efficient
After the extended rain delay, the conditions on the field at Cleveland Browns Stadium weren’t the best. The field held up well but was slick. Even while sliding a bit, Watson and the first team offense ran a fast, efficient, and confident first drive against a solid Commanders defense. Watson was 3/3. He added three rushes for 20 yards. His reads were quick. And most importantly, he looked like he was having fun. Much different from the Watson of 2022, who never seemed comfortable in the team’s offense after such a long layoff.
… But the Cleveland Browns Are Still Vanilla on the Goalline
In 2022, the Cleveland Browns visited the red zone 56 times. Only 30 of those visits converted to touchdowns, which ranked 19th in the NFL. Even with a backup quarterback starting most of the season, a team with one of the best offensive lines in the league and perhaps the best running back in the game should’ve done better.
A large part of that failure was due to the vanilla playcalling. At the end of the efficient Watson-led opening drive, the Browns sputtered out on 4th and goal from the one on an ill-advised running play. It is, however, the preseason, and there’s no reason why the Browns should be digging into their playbook for their most interesting goalline packages. The Browns were also thin at running back tonight (more on that next) and trying to avoid a Watson injury. Still…it didn’t look good.
The Cleveland Browns (Still) Need a Veteran Running Back
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb was held out of tonight’s game. That isn’t a surprise. But the man expected to be the RB2 this season, Jerome Ford, went down with a hamstring injury in practice last week, leaving the Browns perilously thin at the position. The Browns missed the punch they needed with the first team when they could not punch it in on the goal line.
The best of the backups has been Demetric Felton Jr, who rushed eight times for 31 yards. Felton has talent, but he’s a scat back and a developing one at that. Come the regular season, the Browns need a running back on the roster who is ready to step in immediately for Chubb if the all-world back were to miss extended time.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson Has Earned a Look as QB2
The Cleveland Browns expected Joshua Dobbs to be Watson’s understudy in 2023. So much so that they held him out of action in last week’s Hall of Fame Game. Kellen Mond got the start, but all the stories were on rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Thompson-Robinson looked electric, completing 8-11 for 82 yards and a score. He’s already become a fan favorite in Cleveland, and his performance Friday night will only serve to fan those flames.
Thompson-Robinson went 9/10 for 102 yards and a touchdown pass in the latest preseason game, leading the Browns on an efficient and poised drive right down the field. Dobbs turned in a lackluster night, going 8/16 with a pick and looking very uncomfortable with a lot more opportunity, and was outperformed by all other Browns quarterbacks. If things keep going the way they are, the Browns will have to look at Thompson-Robinson in the QB2 spot sooner than later.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson in his second preseason game ever:
• 9/10 passing (90%)
• 102 passing yards
• 11 rushing yards
• 1 TD
• 142.5 passer ratingAnd he only played ONE quarter.
Robinson is now up to 184 passing yards, 47 rushing yards, and 2 TD’s in the preseason.… pic.twitter.com/xOBo8YBPhe
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) August 12, 2023
The Cleveland Browns (Still) Have a Cade York Problem
It’s just the preseason. But Cleveland Browns kicker Cade York missed a 46-yard field goal attempt. After missing a 49-yard boot last week, the Browns can afford to wait no longer. In a win-now season, the Browns MUST bring in a veteran to compete with York. York boots it all over the field in practice, but that doesn’t translate to the field. Clearly, there’s a disconnect. The young kicker needs to feel the pressure all the time. Either it’ll force him to step up, or step off.
Main Photo: Ken Blaze – USA Today Sports
