The Cleveland Browns greatly improved in 2020 in a variety of ways. The most obvious is in the record book where the team went from 6 – 10 to 11 – 5 in their first year under Kevin Stefanski.
Winning their first playoff game since 1989 put a stamp on the season as a huge success.
Where Stefanski really achieved was the improvement in the offense. Along with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, Stefanski implemented his wide-zone running scheme and play-action passing attack despite limitations in a COVID-19 stricken season. The offense developed as the season went on helping them hit their stride halfway through the season.
One area that improved dramatically was the team’s third-down conversion rate. The Browns were eighth in the league in 2020 with a conversion rate of 44.84%. For comparison, the Browns were in the lower third of the NFL in 2019 with a rate of 36.22%.
As Warren Sharp noted on Twitter, the Browns improvement was tied for third-best in the NFL over the last two seasons:
most/least improved 3rd down offense 2019►2020
+13% Packers (38%►51%)
+11% Washington (29%►40%)
+9% Bills (37%►47%)
+9% Browns (36%►45%)
+9% Steelers (34%►43%)-2% Seattle (40%►38%)
-2% Chicago (37%►34%)
-5% 49ers (44%►39%)
-7% Cowboys (47%►40%)
-7% Eagles (45%►37%)— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) June 14, 2021
It was clear watching games in 2020 that Stefanski valued the first down especially on short distances to go. Instead of running longer developing passing plays, Cleveland often had Baker Mayfield’s first read as a player just beyond the first down marker.
The Browns expect big improvements on the defensive side of the ball due to the new additions to the roster. On offense, the hope is that the team improves with the return of Odell Beckham Jr., the added speed of Anthony Schwartz but, most importantly, continuity and development on that side of the ball.
So far so good for Stefanski and company as seen by their conversion rate on that all-important third down.