Brownies & Frownies as Browns fall to Steelers with a number of areas failing the others

The Cleveland Browns defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers simply two weeks in the past however each golf equipment are entering into reverse instructions. The Steelers lead the AFC North Division whereas Cleveland is taking on the basement. Nonetheless, a win over a division rival is at all times accepted.

This time, the sport is in chilly however sunny Pittsburgh. After all, after they performed in Cleveland it was a snowfest.

In whole, the Steelers had three takeaways, they lead the league in that class. The Browns had been capable of drive into Pittsburgh territory usually, solely to have a key fourth down get blown up in addition to a fumbled punt plus two knucklehead interceptions. On the last gun, Pittsburgh gained 27-14.

So who performed effectively for the Browns? Who didn’t?

BROWNIES

LB Mohamoud Diabate – The younger backer confirmed up early and sometimes. With the primary quarter winding down, he had a pair of nice stops. On a first-and-10, a swing cross to TE Pat Freiermuth noticed Diabate cut up two blockers to explode the play and deal with the large tight finish for a three-yard loss. With slightly over a minute left, Diabate shot the hole to nail RB Najee Harris for a one-yard loss on a second-and-one. Two performs later, the Steelers punted. Disabled the display screen to RB Jaylen Warren with simply over 5 minutes left within the first half for a one-yard loss and stopped RB Najee Harris chilly within the third quarter for no acquire. Led all defenders with eight whole tackles.

Punt protection – Nice job on protecting punts immediately. Within the first half Pittsburgh punted 4 instances with simply 20 yards gained. Protection by Pierre Robust, Winston Reid, Mike Ford, D’Anthony Bell, Jordan Akins, Bookie Watson, and Rex Sunahara.

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RB Jerome Ford – He ran exhausting all sport lengthy, however his 56-yard kickoff return gave the Browns hope to start the second half. As a rookie he impressed in kickoff returns so he was no stranger. Fought for each inch of a ditch throw with 4:33 remaining within the sport for a primary down. Had the sport’s most carries with 10 for 28 yard with three catches for 18 yards.

Most fourth down performs – The Browns went 3-4 on fourth down alternatives. QB Jameis Winston was capable of sneak twice and a fourth-and-six late within the sport to WR Elijah Moore netted a primary down.

FROWNIES

Lack of tight finish play – Njoku is a Professional Bowler but his first cross reception for the sport was with simply over 5 minutes to play within the first half. He had simply two catches for six yards within the first half whereas Jordan Akins had a single catch and Blake Whiteheart had zero. Why wasn’t this group used extra usually? With a powerful Pittsburgh cross rush, it simply is smart to ship brief passes to your large males for minimal positive aspects that add up. Njoku’s landing catch was an awesome throw and a good higher catch. 56 whole yards by the tight finish group on this sport. Ouch.

Miscues – Two missed makeable discipline targets, an offensive cross interference name on the one-yard line, a fumble misplaced on a punt late, two Winston interceptions that added 14 Steelers factors, a fourth down play that blew up in Pittsburgh territory, 40 yards in penalties within the fourth quarter alone, and 7 performs for unfavourable yards. Geez…..

Offensive line – Everybody is aware of the Steelers protection is sweet and has a superb cross rush. However in immediately’s sport it was jail break on a minimum of one play in each collection. Sadly for OT Jack Conklin, he was confronted with holding DE T.J. Watt out of the offensive backfield. Watt had a number of QB hits within the first half and several other pressures that stored Winston leaving the pocket or throwing earlier than he was prepared. C Ethan Pocic had a troublesome time holding NT Keeanu Benton out of the backfield. LT Germain Ifedi couldn’t include DE Cam Heyward from coasting alongside the surface. Three sacks allowed for this group and will have been twice that.

Okay Dustin Hopkins – What number of video games in a row is that this man going to overlook makeable discipline targets? Isn’t it time to herald some kickers? This Browns offense struggled all sport to maintain drives solely to have Hopkins miss a 43 and a 38-yarder. Previously 5 video games, Hopkins has missed six discipline targets. Dump him. Dump him now.

Fourth-and-one – Winston is the king of QB sneaks, but the Browns determined to drift the operating again to the brief facet of the sphere. It started as a profitable play that ought to have had a big acquire, however two issues blew it up. TE Blake Whiteheart sealed off his man as did Ifedi. Joel Bitonio pulled forward of Ford and it appeared to be a given for the primary down. However WR Michael Woods whiffed on his block of LB Elandon Roberts who got here throughout and made the deal with for loss. He went proper Bitonio who was extra targeted on a downfield block than seeing the taking pictures linebacker.

C Ethan Pocic – Through the low season, Pocic must hit the load room as a result of all sport lengthy he was pushed and shoved by Benton. In most performs it was Benton merely pushing Pocic backwards. Pocic’s tried block on LB Alex Highsmith resulted in a sack down close to the objective line within the second quarter.

Third-down effectivity – Cleveland is horrible on third downs and one of many worst within the league. They didn’t convert a single third down within the second half. Went 2-13 for the sport.

Milk Bones – The primary motive Santa is so jolly is as a result of he is aware of the place all of the naughty women stay

QB Jameis Winston – Each sport is a curler coaster with Winston. He was flushed on the Browns first drive after which noticed a streaking Jeudy for a landing to go forward 7-3. Then within the second quarter, he was pressured once more by Pittsburgh CB Beanie Bishop and threw the brief display screen cross straight at DT Keeanu Benton for the interception deep in Cleveland’s finish. That resulted in seven for the Steelers. Winston throws strikes when he’s flushed just like the third-and-12 toss to TE Jordan Akins with 2:49 left within the half that gained 14. Then, he’ll overthrow an open TE David Njoku ultimately zone.

After throwing for nearly 500 yards final week, he had simply 91 yards within the first half with solely eight completions. Had a number of good runs together with the 11-yard scamper with 8:20 left within the sport for a primary down. However the picks proceed to be a problem as Winston is the King of Interceptions. Went 24-41 for 211 yards with two touchdowns and two picks with a 68.2 QB score.

WR Michael Woods – Had only one good catch for 12 yards, however his catch on the one was taken off together with his push of the defender which negated the good spot. Then on the primary fourth down try, he failed to dam his man who shot the hole and nailed Ford for the loss.

DE Myles Garrett – Apart from the fumble restoration, what occurred? The place was his cross rush? He did have a sack late within the sport however was invisible for 3 quarters with simply three tackles. (Nonetheless higher than TJ Watt.)

Picture by Justin Berl/Getty Photos

WR Jerry Jeudy – The gifted receiver has taken that WR1 spot on this group with an enormous sport final week and a gap landing seize in opposition to Pittsburgh. After which, what occurred? It was crickets till the fourth stanza. He had an acrobatic catch with 3:41 left in Quarter 3 and simply 5 for the sport for 64 yards. Why wasn’t he used extra?

Ballot
What ought to the Browns do about kicker Dustin Hopkins?

30%

Let him play out this season, then see

(57 votes)

41%

Usher in some kickers this week

(77 votes)

187 votes whole

Vote Now