It wasn’t the smoothest operation on offense by the Browns, but they did enough for the win. Some elements you’re seeing help in the two wins that weren’t a foregone conclusion a year ago: not turning the ball over, and connecting on field goals. Those things can eventually turn out to be the difference in these close games, and QB Deshaun Watson has come thrown in big moments.
Cleveland converted 5-of-15 (33%) of their third downs, but were out-gained 360 yards to 259 yards. The time of possession
battle was pretty even, though, as Todd Monken has maintained an even pass-run balance these first several games.
Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on offense for the Cleveland Browns’ Week 3 game against the Carolina Panthers.
Quarterback
- Overall, it was not a sharp day throwing the football for Deshaun Watson. He was not as accurate as he was last week, often letting the ball sail a bit. But, for the second week in a row, he helped lead a go-ahead touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. He has also done a better job navigating up into the pocket when running. Sacks do not seem like his fault any more, and he seems to be making fairly good decisions. Dare I say it, he looks like a competent game manager. I feel like that mental hurdle he couldn’t shake over the past few years has finally been shook, with the final hurdle being that he even heard some cheers from the home crowd.
- PFF graded him with a 42.9, the lowest grade on offense. Despite the comeback, I think that’s fair, but it’s also a game where you use some discretion for what he did do well.
Running Back
- It may not have been the complete breakdown day I was hoping for, but Quinshon Judkins got a decent workload and averaged 3.9 YPC. Something still seems missing with Judkins right now. He looks very pedestrian or average. I don’t know if that’s a byproduct of the whole operation struggling.
- In terms of snap counts, Raheim Sanders saw the highest percentage of snaps for the backup running back this season. Judkins played 51% of the snaps, while Sanders was in for 43%. I think Sanders has done an admirable job as the backup, including as a receiver. He was the team’s third-highest graded player on offense this week by PFF, grading out to a 68.3.
Wide Receiver
- It’s no longer a fluke: for the second week in a row, Jerry Jeudy was third among the receivers, and had his snap count percentage dip to 51%. He did draw one pass interference penalty that doesn’t show up in the stat sheet above, but otherwise was not targeted again.
- Denzel Boston only had 2 catches, but they were big ones again, and he was the team’s highest-graded player by PFF, grading out to a 73.8.
- This wasn’t a breakout game for KC Concepcion, who had 2 catches for 9 yards on 9 targets. Now, much of those incompletions seemed like Watson struggling to connect with him, as opposed to Concepcion being at fault. The team wasn’t able to utilize him on any jet sweeps or creative plays this week. The offense in general might need to continue boosting its stock all around, to reduce defenses from keying in so much on him at times.
- PFF broke down the WR lineups a little more:
Denzel Boston has been the Browns’ X receiver all season, playing over 90% of snaps in 11 and 12 personnel and the majority of 13 personnel snaps, giving him a 91.1% snap rate on the season. Concepcion held a slight lead over Jeudy for the second spot over the first two weeks. Concepcion played 85.5% of snaps in 11 personnel, but only 42.4% in 12 personnel. Jeudy was playing 54.5% in 12 personnel, but only 69.6% in 11, losing some snaps primarily to Tylan Wallace. This rotation left Concepcion at a 67% snap rate and Jeudy at 60.6%.
Tight End
- For two straight weeks, Harold Fannin has been a big factor in the passing game. He continued to break some tackles this week, and then in the red zone, got away from defenders as he crossed the field for two touchdown catches. Fannin was the team’s second-highest graded player on offense by PFF, grading out to a 69.2.
Offensive Line
- After rookie Austin Barber thrived in a couple games, he struggled against the Panthers. His pass blocking grade by PFF was the lowest among the offensive linemen (42.7). Fellow rookie Spencer Fano also graded low in pass blocking (50.8), although he at least was the team’s highest-graded run blocker (77.2).
- Tytus Howard was dinged for three false starts, but in terms of PFF blocking grades, he probably had the most complete performance. C Elgton Jenkins — who is now in the concussion protocol — was the team’s best-graded pass blocker (80.2).
