The Cleveland Browns will need to utilize a quick and decisive passing attack in their Week 8 matchup with the New England Patriots.
This has been area that has been beaten to death. The Cleveland Browns need to use a quick passing game this week. For some reason, the complete opposite has been used time and time again. The Patriots defense is far and away the best in the league and Cleveland will need to play to their own strengths in order to keep the game competitive.
Baker Mayfield is best when getting the ball out quickly. Mayfield has struggled when tasked when holding the ball and passing downfield. Part of this has been trouble with his own development. The other problem is the offense of Todd Monken combined with a lackluster offensive line. Monken relies on a big plays and would rather not take the methodical approach. The problem with this philosophy? The Patriots do not allow big plays downfield.
These stats from Warren Sharp clearly show that Sam Darnold was more effective with shorter passes than longer passes. Darnold does have his issues with turnovers dating back to his days at USC, but this is still notable. Mayfield has turned the ball over a lot this season, even though not all of them are his fault. Passes bouncing off the hands of his receivers have certainly played a part in his lackluster start.
The Patriots will do two things defensively
- Take away Odell Beckham Jr.
- Send relentless pressure to make Baker Mayfield feel uncomfortable
The Browns are just going to have to live with OBJ having a rough game. What they can do is try and negate their pass rush. Quick passes can help an offense beat pressure. Not necessarily beat it easily, but much easier than trying to make a big play happen downfield when New England simply does not give them up.
The offensive line will see endless pressure this weekend, as they should. Outside of JC Tretter and Joel Bitonio they have been terrible. Bill Belichick knows this and ensure the other three are given all they can handle. There have been rumblings about the offensive line being shuffled around a bit. There has not been a change on the offensive line yet.
If the Browns go with the Todd Monken approach things will be bad offensively. Downfield passes simply do not happen against New England. A quick and decisive offense will give the Browns a much better chance to make things happen offensively against the best team in football.
