The Cleveland Browns took the Week 7 victory over the Tennessee Titans in a game that was a struggle back and forth between the two AFC teams. Now 5-2, the Browns remain at the top of the AFC North heading into Week 8, after their fifth fourth-quarter drive that led to a victory.
A few key takeaways from Week 7’s win:
Poor start, again, on both sides
Cleveland’s rushing touchdown was their first 1st-quarter
touchdown of the season.
Inconsistency with rookies; new coaches in top positions
A tale as old as time in the NFL: inconsistency is regular when you have a lot of rookies; on top of that, HC Todd Monken, OC Travis Switzer, and DC Mike Rutenberg are all first-timers in their big roles.
A win is a win, as everyone gets more experience.
A variety of players got involved early on offense
It was helpful to see six players get three or more touches on offense, plus QB Deshaun Watson having three rushes, including a touchdown. When all the weapons can get involved, in a variety of ways, things go well. Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, KC Concepcion, Harold Fannin Jr., Denzel Boston, and Jerry Jeudy all had three or more catches and/or runs.
Week off does Quinshon Judkins good
The second-year back looked far more explosive early in the game, after missing Week 6. On Cleveland’s second drive, Judkins had a 30-yard gain and finished off the drive with a solid touchdown run. Overall, Judkins had 96 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns, with a 5.6-yard-per-carry average.
Ref who throws the most flags plus undisciplined Browns
Four penalties on Cleveland in the first quarter led the announcers to share that the official in this game has thrown 40 more flags than any other. Given the Browns’ struggles with discipline, not a great combination.
Cleveland had eight penalties; Tennessee had five for the game.
Huge replay and 4th-down stop early in the 2nd quarter
RB Tony Pollard looked like he got in for a touchdown; three plays later, the Browns were taking the ball back thanks to a huge 4th-down stand, helped by a good play by DE Jared Verse. The game went from being 21-7 to Cleveland turning in a 99-yard drive, tying the game 14-14.
Concepcion breakout game
Despite a big drop that would have been a touchdown, the Browns’ first-round receiver had his breakout game. Eight catches for 129 yards and three rushes for 23 yards, Concepcion not only had some big plays but had some key first-down plays as well. If he had held on to the perfect Watson throw, it would have been a perfect game for the rookie.
Moving Fannin around sets up inside routes, leading to success
Cleveland’s offense moved some players around in Week 7, including lining up Fannin in different locations that led to different matchups for other receivers and running backs. It also led to Fannin’s best game of the year, six catches for 91 yards.
Defensive adjustments showing up in the 2nd quarter
Rutenberg may play a little too much zone early (and, in this game, late), but his adjustments throughout games are very obvious and great to see. The Browns run different defenses as the game goes on, especially after struggling early in most games.
Passing offense finding itself, run game helping
Two simple stats: Watson threw for 308 yards, and the run game had 183 yards. That is a complete offense.
Defense has perfected the Peanut Punch
More and more, the Cleveland defense is looking to get the ball out, rather than just tackling. “The ball is oxygen/air” has been said on more than one occasion. Tyson Campbell made the play in the third quarter:
Focus, effort concerns in the 3rd quarter/playing with a lead
Again, an issue with a young team, but Cleveland’s focus and effort were questionable in the third quarter. More penalties and a lack of urgency. The Browns have been more productive when trailing in games, which isn’t what good teams do in the NFL.
Dylan Sampson’s return adds juice to offense
It might take a while for him to be fully integrated, but this screen to Sampson showed what he adds to the Cleveland offense:
A 20-yard rush in the fourth quarter helped push the Browns offense into scoring position, another explosive play by the second-year back. Sampson ended up with nine touches for 77 yards.
Mason Graham, Grant Delpit left the game injured
Not a great sign watching the star defensive tackle limping off the field in his first game back after an injury. Thankfully, he was able to return a few plays later.
Delpit helped make a tackle, but then the officials stopped the game to have him removed from the field due to concern for injury.
Thankfully, both were able to return to the game.
Run game inconsistent
While Cleveland was able to put together a good final box score, the run game continues to have too many plays where backs are either dancing behind the line or dealing with defenders at or behind the line of scrimmage. A little more consistency would help a more dominant game on the scoreboard.
Harold Fannin getting more involved is helpful
Important to note a second time, Fannin was huge late in the game. While he is required to do more blocking (more on that in a second), his presence is something other teams struggle to match up with in the passing game. Fannin also fights for extra yards, including a key play late in the game that led to the game-winning field goal.
Malachi Corley’s run game blocking was key
Providing the second tight end role, Corley was on the field for a lot of the important runs Cleveland’s offense had. Corley allowed Fannin to run more routes.
Zone defense bites defense late in the 4th Quarter
Two straight plays where a receiver was wide open; Ward missed one but not the other, putting Tennessee in the red zone late in the game and allowing them to tie the game.
Deshaun Watson finally throws for 300 yards
Browns fans would love a more comfortable win… but 5-2 is GREAT
Listen, some fans are no longer in our 20s… or 30s… or 40s… or 50s… (I am somewhere in that group). It would be nice for Cleveland’s stress levels and hearts if the Browns could win a little more convincingly. Then again, it is way better to win than lose, right?!
What are your takeaways from the Browns Week 7 victory over the Titans?
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