by Another week and another mind boggling loss for the Cleveland Browns. This time, 21-17 at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings. Let’s break it down by the numbers.
5
This is now the fifth straight game the Browns have scored 17 points or less to open the season. They have limited weapons, terrible play calling and simply cannot move the ball and cash in. Their defense has played so well and it simply hasn’t mattered.
23 for 110
Congrats to Quinshon Judkins for his first ever 100 plus yard game. The Cleveland Browns appear to have an answer at RB1 for the long-term future. Fans just have to hope the man stays out of trouble off the field which he is yet to prove he can do.
7 for 123 yards
Justin Jefferson torched the Cleveland Browns secondary today and when the Minnesota Vikings needed to bunker down, concentrate and make big play after big play on their final drive to win it, Jefferson was the guy.
11
11 seconds, the Browns ran off 11 seconds only on a drive that if done right, could have either ran out the clock, or salted it down to a punt with under 30 seconds left in the game. 3 terrible play calls by Stefanski, and just like that, the Vikings had the ball back with plenty of time to drive for a winning touchdown in which they did!
6 for 67 with a score
David Njoku awoke from the dead today to score his first touchdown of the season and also catch 6 balls. He was non existent for the first 4 games of the season and his appearance today aided rookie quarterback Dillion Gabriel greatly.
2
Jerry Jeudy continues to look absolutely lost as the number one wideout for the Browns. Only 2 catches today for a pitiful 15 yards continues what has been a hideous regular season. Jeudy, through 5 games, has only caught 15 balls for 197 yard with zero scores. He is averaging 3 catches a game for 39 yards. Absolutely hideous.
2
The Cleveland Browns FINALLY won the takeaway battle today, taking it away from Minnesota twice while not giving it up all. Yet, that still lost!
19 of 33 for 190 with 2 touchdowns
Dillion Gabriel looked very ordinary today. While he never turned the ball over, he never threw down field or lit the world on fire either. Like Flacco, Gabriel is not the answer, far from it at this point, but the best thing they can do is continue to get the man touches and reps and see if they at least have a qualified backup for the returning Deshaun Watson at some point.
The Bottom Line
The Browns should have beaten Cincinnati of they could make a kick and won today of the so called best defense in the NFL could have gotten a stop when they needed too. The reality is, the Browns are 1-4 and not 3-2, blowing a great chance to compete for the division. Sad, just sad, yet again!
