Tag: fast start

Browns were one of the best teams in the first quarter during 2022 season

The #Browns were one of the best teams in the NFL during the first quarter of games during the 2022 season

[connatix div_id=”3f8b015acdd24c648befc5d5dac47469″ player_id=”afe1e038-d3c2-49c0-922d-6511a229f69c” cid=”7cbcea0d-4ce2-4c75-9a8d-fbe02a192c24″]

The beginnings of games were not a problem for the Cleveland Browns last season as they ranked fifth in fourth-quarter leads in 2022 according to Warren Sharp. After the first quarter last year, the Browns were plus-29 in overall point differential with both offense and defense playing their best out of the gates to begin most matchups.

The bulk of their struggles could be linked to adjuments, or a lack thereof on the Browns’ side, which often made for some head-scratching situations. Coaching changes, specifically those on the defensive side of the ball, will help the team turn things around in 2023 if the Browns are to be the contenders that some think they could be.

We have already heard from players about the difference in the culture and their excitement to play for new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. He has the pedigree and history to suggest he has the ability to make necessary changes to solve issues as they occur. Pair that with a full season of Deshaun Watson under center, the team should be well-positioned to take a major step forward in 2023.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes planning for fast start against Ravens in Week 3

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes doesn’t want a repeat of what happened last week against the Chargers.

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes was adamant after the Week 2 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers that he didn’t play well early on.

“Early in the game, especially in the first quarter, I think I just wasn’t playing up to par,” Mahomes said following the game. “There was stuff there, we had throws there, and I just wasn’t making the right read or I was making bad throws.”

At halftime in Week 2, the Chiefs were down by eight. Mahomes took the brunt of the blame for that. His execution might have been off early on in that game, but he kept battling. Eventually, he settled down and helped to mount a comeback win for Kansas City.

As Mahomes prepares to face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3, he’s working toward having a faster start. History suggests that it’s possible too. In his two matchups against Baltimore since 2018, Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense have scored a combined 40 points during the first half of play. You simply don’t want to find yourself down against a Ravens team that boasts one of the best running games in the NFL.

For now, Mahomes is focusing on ways that he can better execute the offense against Baltimore defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale’s defense during “Monday Night Football.”

“It’s going to be all about execution,” Mahomes told reporters on Thursday. “When you play a defense like this that does a lot of different things, very multiple, do a lot of different blitzes, a lot of different coverages, you have to make sure that you’re ready to go and have answers for everything. I’ll just do whatever I can to make sure I’m prepared for everything they can show us. And whenever they give us an unscouted look, try to have a positive play and then get to the sideline and figure out the best way to go about it for the rest of the game.”

Mahomes is placing an emphasis on pregame preparation and film study, but he also wants to do a better job of adjusting on the fly to unscouted looks. He’s been preaching this offseason about taking what defenses give to him. We saw him take advantage of that against the Chargers with his fourth-quarter scrambles on third down. Look for Mahomes to exploit whatever the Ravens defense is willing to give up in Week 3.

[vertical-gallery id=77258]