CLEVELAND’S OFFENSIVE STRUGGLES CONTINUE TO PLAGUE THE TEAM
The Cleveland Browns’ high-powered offense, expected to be a strength this season, has instead been a major weakness through three games. Despite having a talented quarterback and a stout defense, the Browns have struggled to move the ball, averaging a paltry 3.8 yards per play, the second-worst mark in the NFL.
The team’s third-down conversion rate is a dismal 18.6%, the worst in the league, and their inability to sustain drives has led to boos from the home crowd. Quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade, has struggled to find consistency, and his indecisiveness and inaccuracy have been major concerns.
Injuries have also played a significant role in the offense’s struggles, particularly along the offensive line. The team lost three linemen in Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants, forcing a makeshift unit to take the field. The Browns’ pass protection has been porous, allowing Watson to be sacked a league-high 16 times, and their run game, typically a strength, has been ineffective.
Coach Kevin Stefanski acknowledges that the offense’s issues are multifaceted and that everyone, including himself, must take responsibility for the unit’s poor performance. “When you’re talking about protection, it’s everybody,” Stefanski said. “It’s from myself, the coaches, the offensive line, tight ends, running backs, wide receivers, quarterbacks. It’s everybody.”
Watson’s struggles have been compounded by drops from his receivers, who have registered a 5.2% drop rate, the third-worst mark in the league. However, Watson’s accuracy remains a major concern, with an off-target rate of 24.5%, the third-worst in the NFL.
The Browns must find a way to correct their offensive woes ahead of their Week 4 road game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Stefanski believes that the team can improve its first- and second-down calls to put themselves in more manageable third-down situations. “You can be better on first and second down to help yourself on third down,” Stefanski said.
The Browns’ offense is in search of an identity, and it’s up to Stefanski and his coaching staff to find a way to get the unit back on track. As Stefanski said, “That’s our job, just to find ways to be efficient, find ways to be explosive, regardless of the challenges that you may have.”
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