4 Downs: Browns play spoilers against Ravens, Deshaun Watson improves again

What stood out the most as the Browns play spoilers against the Ravens?

The Cleveland Browns have advanced to 6-8 on the season after defeating their AFC North foes by a score of 13-3. The Baltimore Ravens were without quarterback Lamar Jackson and it showed on the afternoon as backup Tyler Huntley could not get anything going in the snowy conditions at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The Browns managed to create two rare turnovers defensively and blocked a field goal off of the foot of the best kicker in the NFL in Justin Tucker. As the Browns look to rattle off three more wins to end the season, what stood out most from this step in the right direction against the Ravens?

[listicle id=82218]

Browns vs. Bengals Snap Count Observations: Perrion Winfrey here to stay, an ode to 12 personnel

What stood out from this week’s snap count?

The Cleveland Browns are back to the drawing board, and predominantly for evaluation purposes at this point as they have been practically eliminated from playoff contention. After a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, a heavily penalized game for the Browns, they will be looking to build rapport, and momentum, and put players who need further evaluation under a microscope over their last four games.

Before looking ahead to the Baltimore Ravens, however, there is still plenty to evaluate from this AFC North loss. Starting with the snap count totals, what stood out from the personnel groupings, and who saw the field the most (or least) for the Browns yesterday?

All snap count data has been pulled from The OBR’s weekly analytics article. The graphics are made by The OBR’s Anthony Reinhard.

[listicle id=82094]

4 Downs: Browns now need miracle to make playoffs after ugly loss to Bengals

The Browns will need a miracle from here on out after a sloppy loss to the Bengals.

The Cleveland Browns have now dropped to 5-8 on the season after losing a sloppy game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Penalized nine times on the day for 98 total yards, the Browns far too often gave the Bengals extra possessions and shot themselves in the foot.

They have now called to 2-2 in the AFC North and will need a miracle to pull off an appearance in the playoffs this season. With four games to go, the best the Browns can now do is get to nine wins on the season and hope for the best.

Other than dashed playoff hopes, what stood out in this loss to the Bengals?

[listicle id=82048]

Cade York really wanted to kick the 67 yarder before halftime vs. Bengals

Cade York badly wanted to kick it.

As the Cleveland Browns attempted a Hail Mary from midfield as the clock expired in the second quarter, rookie Cade York could be seen pleading his case to attempt the 67-yard field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals.

We know York has the leg to boot a kick that fall, but his inconsistencies rightfully give the Browns a bit of pause. And also the fact they are playing in the midwest in December. York is 1-for-1 on the day as the Browns trail the Bengals 13-3 at halftime. Perhaps York will get his chance for heroics in this game still as the Browns look to battle back against their AFC North rivals.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw33aqtym0ft0g player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

[listicle id=82048]

Browns vs. Bengals: Jerome Boger’s officiating crew gives little to enjoy in first half

This game between the Browns and Bengals is an unwatchable product.

The Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals are at halftime of a relatively boring game as the score sits at just 13-3. This divisional matchup between the Browns vs. Bengals has been marred by a barrage of flags thrown by Jerome Boger and his crew. All-in-all, there have been 10 total flags thrown, seven of them on the Browns.

On the first scoring drive for Cincinnati as well, the Browns were penalized for a total of 58 yards in total. While a 15-yard roughing the punter call was warranted, the Bengals got a gift on a 33-yard defensive pass interference call down the field, and a Browns’ sack was negated on a soft hands to the face call. Right before the half, another huge third down sack was negated by offsetting penalties as well. The Bengals then went on to score.

This game has been an unwatchable product due to the control the officials are showing with their yellow flags.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw33aqtym0ft0g player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Browns Film Room: How can new WR Jaelon Darden fit into Kevin Stefanski’s offense?

How can the Browns incorporate their new toy? We take a look here!

The Cleveland Browns have a new wide receiver on their roster after general manager Andrew Berry claimed Jaelon Darden, who was cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the return of their starting quarterback, and with new elements added to their offense against the Houston Texans last week, the question has to be asked: how can Darden fit into head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense?

I seek to find an answer to that question here.

With his playing experience at the NFL level being so minimal, I went back and watched three games from Darden’s last season at the University of North Texas in 2020 and pulled clips from that time as well.

All clips pulled from limited NFL action comes courtesy of Jake Burns of The OBR.

[listicle id=81974]

Upon Further Review: What stood out from all-22 of Browns’ win over Texans

What stood out from the all-22 view of the matchup between the Browns and Texans?

It is time for Upon Further Review, where we diagnose some things that show up once we get a birds-eye view of the game film. The Cleveland Browns won by a score of 27-14 over the Houston Texans, and it looked ugly from live viewing. The all-22 was also quite ugly, but it is always nice to add some context to what is happening outside of the broadcast view.

What stood out after digesting the coach’s film of this less-than-stellar Week 13 matchup between the Browns and Texans? Here are four bullet points, two offensively and two defensively, that made impressions on a second viewing.

[listicle id=81932]

Studs and duds from Browns’ Week 13 win vs. Texans

There are players who rise to the occasion and those who don’t show up every week. Who stood out in both directions against the Texans?

The Cleveland Browns improved to 5-7 on the season, pulling away from the Houston Texans thanks to scoring plays from the defense and special teams. They now look to travel to Cincinnati this weekend to take on the Bengals in hopes of improving to 3-1 in the AFC North.

Before transitioning to the Bengals, however, we take a look at who stood out in this win against the Texans, for both good and bad. It was not the prettiest win in the world, but there were still players making a name for themselves. Who stood out as studs in this game? Who has room to step it up this week against the Bengals?

[listicle id=81851]

Browns vs. Texans: Deshaun Watson sloppy in return, defense creates takeaways in win

It was not pretty, but the Browns have won back-to-back games for the first time all season. What stood out the most in this win over the Texans?

The Cleveland Browns have won back-to-back games for the first time in 2022, advancing to 5-7 after defeating the Houston Texans by a score of 27-14. It was not a pretty showing, losing both Harrison Bryant and Sione Takitaki to injury.

It was also a rare one where the Browns had to rely on their defense and special teams instead of their offense, but were able to grind out a win against the 1-9-1 Texans. In this game, the defense managed to create three turnovers, including two defensive touchdowns.

While their chances of the playoffs are slim for the Browns, they are not lost with five games remaining. Before looking ahead to a divisional showdown against the Cincinnati Bengals, what stood out from the live viewing of this win over the Texans?

 

[listicle id=81735]

Upon Further Review: Wyatt Teller, Perrion Winfrey, and other all-22 observations vs. Buccaneers

As we get to the tape against the Buccaneers, what stood out as the Browns brought home an overtime win?

The Cleveland Browns are now preparing for the Houston Texans as quarterback Deshaun Watson is preparing to make his first start in nearly two years. However, before we turn the page completely to Week 13, we take one more look at their overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Now that the coach’s films has been released and consumed, we can get a better feel for what happened in each play from a better perspective. One can see full coverages, full route concepts, pass protections, and rewind and rewatch as much as possible.

What stood out from the all-22 in this game between the Browns and Buccaneers?

[listicle id=81692]