After five games, what can we say about the Browns? Let’s look deep

CLEVELAND, Ohio – How I used to be unsuitable when having a look at the Browns season:

THOUGHT: If the Browns can have a middle-of-pack offense, averaging somewhat over 20 issues a sport – they will have to be in just right form early in the season in opposition to one in every of the NFL’s weakest schedules. Profootball Focus charges it the weakest NFL time table to this point.

THE BREAKDOWN:

1. Suppose you knew the Browns could be the sixth-highest scoring group in the NFL after five weeks – with Jacoby Brissett at QB. Suppose you knew they’d be averaging 26.6 issues in step with sport. What do you assume could be their report?

2. The Browns are 2-3. Yes, Brissett has thrown 3 late-game interceptions. But the reality is the Browns are scoring just about 27 issues a sport. Their lowest level general is 20 vs. Atlanta. Their perfect is 30 vs. the Jets. The offense has been constant in the case of hanging up issues.

3. We are in an technology of declining offense, which is why many lovers are almost definitely stunned via Cleveland’s No. 6 score in scoring. Many of the groups now play some model of the Cover-2 protection, that means you stay two safeties deep and don’t let groups beat you with explosive performs. It’s why scoring has long past down, and why many offenses are operating the ball extra.

4. Fans and a few homeowners love loads of scoring and thrilling performs. These Browns are hanging up very decent level totals, even supposing the offense turns out dull every now and then with the heavy accessory on the run. Hard-core Browns lovers perceive the nature of the sport – and need the group to run the ball much more.

5. Coach Kevin Stefanski has pissed off many people along with his play-calling in the crimson zone. The Browns have “left a lot of points on the field,” as coaches love to say. But listed below are the information: The Browns have scored TDs on 60% in their journeys into the crimson zone. That ranks tenth in the NFL.

A ROUGH DAY — Cleveland Browns position kicker Cade York (3) slumps over after lacking a game-winning box objective try in the fourth quarter in opposition to the Chargers.John Kuntz, cleveland.com

THOUGHT: I assumed with rookie kicker Cade York, the Browns would win video games with their particular groups – no less than with box objectives.

THE BREAKDOWN

1. York received the opener with an imposing 58-yard box objective to assist beat Carolina, 26-24.

2. York overlooked box objectives from 46 and 53 yards in the 30-28 loss to the Chargers remaining week. This got here 3 days after Yours Truly and co-host David Campbell steered the Browns to “unleash Cade York” on our Terry’s Talkin’ podcast. We concept Stefanski had held again the use of York on some dangerous box objectives that still looked to be in his vary. Shows what we know.

3. York overlooked an additional level in what become a 31-30 loss to the Jets. It appeared minor at the time, however there is also a way of doom in the NFL the place maximum video games are shut. You see a overlooked additional level or perhaps a makeable box objective and assume, “That will haunt them.”

4. This isn’t to surrender on York. He’s 8-of-10 on box objectives and 13-of-15 on additional issues. He’s extraordinarily proficient. But persistence is needed. Phil Dawson has jogged my memory that he used to be 8-of-12 on box objectives as a rookie with the Browns. He feared he’d be reduce. Instead, the Browns caught with him and he become one in every of their very best kickers ever.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield is the lowest ranked beginning QB in 2022. AP

THOUGHT: Baker Mayfield would pass to Carolina and revive his occupation, having a look extra like the Baker Mayfield of 2018 and 2020.

THE BREAKDOWN:

1. Yikes! Mayfield has been terrible for the Panthers. It used to be extra of 2021, when it appeared lots of his issues had been because of his shoulder and different accidents. Perhaps that used to be the case. This season, he used to be supposedly wholesome.

2. There are a number of other ranking programs, however the majority of them rank Mayfield as the worst beginning QB in the NFL this season. He’s finished handiest 55% of his passes, 4 TDs in comparison to 4 interceptions. He has been sacked 15 occasions. He’s had an NFL-high 9 passes batted down in his five video games.

3. Mayfield as soon as had the recognition as a correct passer. His 55% fee this season ranks thirty second out of 34 QBs who’ve began this season. In 2021, he ranked twenty seventh.

4. Carolina trainer Matt Ruhle used to be fired after the Panthers’ 1-4 get started. Mayfield is now sidelined reportedly with a high-ankle sprain. I by no means would have guessed the Browns could be a long way this season with Brissett than Mayfield, however that’s the case.

THEY DON'T LOOK HAPPY — Browns trainer Kevin Stefanski (proper) and defensive coordinator Joe Woods will have to be disappointed via how the defensive has performed early this season. John Kuntz, cleveland.com

THOUGHT: The Browns would no less than have an above-average protection, most likely a top-10 protection for the reason that just about each and every key participant used to be returning.

THE BREAKDOWN

1. Makes this a double yikes!! The final analysis for a protection is issues allowed. The Browns are giving up 25 issues a sport, twenty second in the NFL. A yr in the past, they ranked thirteenth (21.8 issues).

2. The Browns ranked twelfth vs. the run in 2021. This yr, it’s twenty eighth. The run protection is a humiliation. It can’t merely be because of the reality the Browns don’t have Malik Jackson and Malik McDowell at defensive tackles this season. McDowell used to be proficient, however inconsistent. Both are out of the NFL. McDowell had prison and emotional issues. Jackson merely couldn’t discover a process with any other group.

3. The protection has been unusual all season, rather then in the 29-17 victory over Pittsburgh. In the first two video games of the season, the tale used to be damaged cross coverages and large open receivers for big good points. Pittsburgh used to be a just right effort in Game 3. In the remaining two video games, they’ve allowed allowed four hundred and forty yards on the floor to Atlanta and the L.A. Chargers.

4. The Browns are permitting 10.6 issues in step with sport in the fourth quarter. That ranks thirtieth in the NFL, any other embarrassment. They gave up 17 fourth-quarter issues to Mayfield, the excessive level of his season. They gave up 14 issues to the Jets and Joe Flacco in the ultimate two mins of the sport. Atlanta scored 13 issues in the fourth quarter, throwing just one cross.

5. I’m now not in want of changing maximum coaches all over the season, however the stats for defensive coordinator Joe Woods are terrible. It’s now not been something. Pass coverages early in the season, run-defense breakdowns in recent times and fourth-quarter collapses.

6. It’s all the time tempting responsible the offense and the QB for a group’s issues. But via a long way, the largest team of underachievers has been on protection. The protection is tied with a number of groups for thirtieth in the case of forcing turnovers. They don’t make large performs, and so they don’t forestall the regimen operating performs on offense.

7. I trust this evaluate from Profootballfocus: “The Browns are far more talented on defense than this No. 30 ranking suggests. But for whatever reason, they can’t stop giving up big plays in the passing game, and they might just have the worst run defense in the NFL. Cleveland has surrendered the fifth-most yards per reception (12.5) … There is still hope that the defense could improve if it gets healthier, but this has been one of the most disappointing units in the NFL this season.”

8. Woods has talked about his group having a “top-five defense.” If that they had a top-15 protection – simply common – we’d almost definitely be speaking about the Browns being 4-1. That’s the final analysis in this season to this point.