Three Disappointments from Browns Ugly Loss
Orange and Brown Have a Lot to Clean Up in Week 4
The Cleveland Browns suffered their second defeat of the season in an ugly loss to the New York Giants. The 21-15 scoreline shows the Browns were close and had many chances to grab this game in a low-scoring affair. There are many phases of the game that can be blamed. Many players and units were simply just not good enough, against a team who is thought of as one of the worst in the league.
The 0-2 Giants marched into Cleveland and simply wanted it more. It was a quick start for the Browns that made it more infuriating that they struggled to grab the lead and put the game away. With a lot of things to blame, here are three disappointments from the Browns second home-loss of the season.
The Offensive Line Abysmal in Ugly Loss
When talking about the Browns especially the offense, the offensive line is at the top of the list of disappointments. Yes, quarterback Deshaun Watson struggles at times to avoid sacks and some are on him. However, the Browns gave up eight sacks. Yes, eight. Along with five tackles for loss and 17 quarterback hits. Some of which fall on Watson, but this ugly loss had a lot to do with the line.
The unit came into the game the most banged up on the team, which only got worse throughout the game. Starting left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. was questionable and ended up playing his first game of the season. However, he suffered a knee injury and had to leave the game. Right guard Wyatt Teller also suffered a knee injury and is one of the most important players on the team. Even backup tackle James Hudson III got hurt, and this brewed more trouble for the offense. The line had to be shifted all out of sorts and it reared its head in the ugly loss.
The First Half
Playing at home and getting off to a hot start would mean a victory for most teams against an inferior opponent. However, this wasn’t the case. The Browns didn’t receive the ball to start the game and still scored in 11 seconds. The fumbled opening kickoff by the Giants led to an Amari Cooper 24-yard touchdown with 14:49 left in the first quarter.
🏈 Deshaun Watson passing touchdown to Amari Cooper!
📺: #NYGvsCLE on FOX pic.twitter.com/85CCMoxVuX
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 Loki 🍿 (@TheLokiLad) September 22, 2024
It was all Giants from there especially in the first-half of the Browns ugly loss at home. Running back Devin Singletary got things started for New York with a touchdown in the first quarter.
Rookie stud Malik Nabers caught two impressive touchdowns in the second-quarter as neither side of the ball could get things going for Cleveland. 21 unanswered points meant a 21-7 first-half deficit in a game the Browns were 6.5-point favorites for.
The Secondary Has Room for Improvement in Ugly Loss
The Browns run defense had its moments, and forced one of two total fumbles in the game for the Giants. They held the Giants to a respectable 3.5 yards per carry and 112 rushing yards for the game.
The secondary is known around the league as one of the best, but got eaten alive at times by Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson. Nabers finished with 8 receptions, 78 yards and two touchdowns. Robinson added 7 receptions for 61 yards.
Malik Nabers. My God. pic.twitter.com/CrIP42y4Vw
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 22, 2024
Daniel Jones had time to throw and delivered some accurate passes when needed as they handed the Browns another ugly loss. He finished 24/34 for 236 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He is known to be a guy who turns it over, but Cleveland couldn’t get any turnovers off him.
If the Browns wanna rebound from another ugly loss, they need to get healthy and improve both sides of the ball. A better start will also give them the chance to not be playing behind like they have in both losses. Overall, the Browns left a lot to be desired and will need another bounce back win next week.
Main Photo Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
