The Cleveland Browns did a nice job with time of possession against the Cincinnati Bengals, having an advantage of 36 minutes to 24 minutes. Being 9-of-16 (56%) on third down was key in sustaining drive, and for not having a dynamic running game, QB Joe Flacco kept finding the open receiver. And yet, the offense was held to 16 points when it could have easily been two scores more. Drops by receivers at the wrong time, and missed kicks, did them in.
Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on offense for the Cleveland Browns’ Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Quarterback
- Joe Flacco was as sharp as I could have asked for. I don’t remember any risky throws he delivered. In fact, the amount of times he was able to find the open man was great. When a play wasn’t there, he did the level-headed thing and just threw the ball away. There were a couple of times when he bought time by rolling out, and found a receiver opening late.
- Casual NFL fans who look at the box score only will say, “Flacco still being risky with two interceptions, that must be why they lost.” Both balls required the receiver to go toward the ground on the catch, but they were not risky throws. They were safe, low balls, that only the Browns’ receiver could get. It’s a shame this loss goes on his record.
- Flacco graded out to a 73.1 by PFF, the third-highest grade on offense.
Running Back
- I wondered if the Browns would end up going with Dylan Sampson as the lead back, and for this week, they did. But long-term, the way he’ll be a weapon is with his reliability as a receiver. He caught all 8 passes thrown to him, and now only that, he consistently showed a burst after making those catches to quickly get up-the-field.
- Sampson graded out to a 70.8 on by PFF, the fourth-highest grade on offense.
- We’ll see if Quinshon Judkins can be available to be the lead running back next week. Things just weren’t there for any of the backs on the ground. Rocket Sanders did convert two third-and-short situations, including his first touchdown as a pro.
Wide Receiver
- It was a disappointing day for Jerry Jeudy. He tried to redeem it with some key catches on the drive that could have been setting up the game-winning field goal (which was missed). However, prior to that in the second half, he had a drop that bounced in the air for an interception, and then dropped a pass on the next drive on fourth down that would’ve set Cleveland up in scoring range.
- It must be contagious. Cedric Tillman was having a solid day, including catching Joe Flacco’s first touchdown pass of the season. However, in the two-minute drill (when Cleveland was still in good shape for a comeback drive), he also had a drop...
Dawgs By Nature
