In a win-now, prove-it season for the Cleveland Browns, the team got off to a fast start on Sunday with a dominant 24-3 win over the Super Bowl-hopeful Cincinnati Bengals.
The weather played a significant role. The game started with sideways rain and wind and only worsened as things progressed. Neither passing game came close to coming online. Bengals QB Joe Burrow, who is, for the moment, the highest-paid player in NFL history, averaged 2.6 yards a pass for a total of 82 yards. Browns QB Deshaun Watson didn’t do much better.
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But Watson’s efforts were more than enough, as the Cleveland Browns served notice to the league that they are, perhaps, for real.
Cleveland Browns Dominate and Can Still Get Better
It turns out those preseason games can be a reasonable predictor of what’s to come when the games get real. The Cleveland Browns starters played the month of August with swagger, showing passion and aggression on every play. That carried over into September. Even when the Browns had miscues (and there were plenty on that rain-soaked field), there wasn’t anger. There was focus. There was accountability. And, most importantly, the next play was always better.
What Worked For the Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns defense was the story of the game. There was a lot of hype in the offseason with the rebuilt defensive line and the newly defined roles in the secondary. All of that came to fruition on Sunday. The pass rush was in Burrow’s face on nearly every play, and Burrow completed just 45% of his passes. The run defense was better as well. Bengals RB Joe Mixon managed to rip off one 22-yard run, but his other 12 carries managed just a 3.5-yard average.
All-world Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb showed no rust after sitting out the entire preseason. As the rain got worse, Chubb got better, ending the day with 18 carries and 106 yards. He also added four receptions for another 21.
Even with all of the talk about Watson and the revitalized passing game, the Cleveland Browns showed they can win ugly, with the ground and pound that runs through Chubb. One of the biggest factors came through the Browns’ biggest player: rookie OT Dawand Jones. Jones, a fourth-round pick this year, was the next man up after starter RT Jack Conklin was taken off the field with an apparent season-ending knee injury. Jones stepped right in, and… nothing changed. His name was never called, no one beat him, and he made no major mistakes. For an offensive lineman, that’s the best day you can hope for.
Last but not least, Cleveland Browns fans breathed a collective sigh of relief watching newly acquired kicker Dustin Hopkins make all three of his kicks in that horrible weather. Hopkins replaced Browns kicker Cade York after a horrific preseason from the former fourth-round pick and was perfect on the day. The kicking game, at least for the moment, finally looks solid.
What Needs Work For the Cleveland Browns
It’s nearly impossible to give an accurate evaluation of the passing game. That said, it is clear that Watson is still not fully online yet. Watson, who played surprisingly little in the preseason, did get better as the game went on. His footwork suffered on the slick field, and many of his passes seemed to die in the onslaught of rain and wind. Still, he did manage 154 yards in the air and a late touchdown pass to third-string TE Harrison Bryant.
If the Cleveland Browns proved that the offense still goes through Nick Chubb, they also conclusively showed that Jerome Ford is not a reasonable replacement. With a 24-3 lead in the mid-fourth quarter and the terrible field conditions, Chubb gave way to RB2 Jerome Ford. With the Bengals saving their starters, Ford showed little pop, rushing 15 times for an anemic 2.4 yards per carry. He also fumbled earlier in the game deep in Bengals territory. This issue has plagued the Browns throughout the preseason. If the Browns are serious about winning right now, and it seems that they are, they must have a better backup for Chubb.
What’s Next for the Cleveland Browns
The schedule gods had a sense of humor for the Cleveland Browns, giving them all three of their division rivals in the season’s first four weeks. The Pittsburgh Steelers got whomped by Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers, and will be looking to rebound in what’s always a tough game for the Browns.
In fact, the Browns have only one regular season win at Heinz Field… and that came in 2003. The only other 21st-century Browns win in Pittsburgh famously came in the 2020 playoffs.
On paper, the Cleveland Browns match up well against the Steelers. Although the Steeler offensive line is ranked No. 12 in the league by PFF, it also features a rookie covering the blind side. The Steelers gave up five sacks and just 41 rushing yards to the 49ers. The San Francisco defense is similarly aggressive as the Browns. Second-year QB Kenny Pickett is also still developing, passing 46 times for just 232 yards, one touchdown, and two picks.
The Cleveland Browns will look for a better read on Watson outside of Sunday’s monsoon. Watson looked more confident and decisive against the Bengals, and the redesigned offense featured some well-designed run/pass options for the mobile quarterback. The Bengals’ aggressive approach had less and less success as the game continued, as both Chubb and Watson showed their abilities on the ground. The Steelers will have to compensate for that and will likely dare Watson to take what he can get through the air.
The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, September 17, starting at 1 p.m. ET.
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Main Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
