Category Archives: Browns

Observations from Browns 22-17 win

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The Cleveland Browns came away with a 22-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles and there are a few things that stood out.

The weather was Cleveland’s best friend

It was another rainy day in Cleveland and that turned out to be the best case scenario for the Browns. The weather played right into their hands as a combination of running the football and well-timed defensive plays propelled the team to victory. The weather ensured that Kevin Stefanski was not able to be too cute with the offense, ensuring they ran the ball early and often. 39 total rushing attempts (minus the final kneel down) from the Browns by the end the game indicates that the weather conditions led to a positive outcome.

Olivier Vernon’s best game as a Brown

This is statement that cannot be contested. Olivier Vernon had his best game as a member of the Cleveland Browns Sunday and that was without Myles Garrett on the other side of the line. Vernon sacked Carson Wentz three times and finished with 5 total tackles, 3.5 for loss. Vernon has been playing up to his potential recently and could build on this performance moving forward.

Sione Takitaki’s best play of his NFL career so far

Speaking of great defensive efforts, Sione Takitaki made a game defining play early in the 1st quarter. Takitaki intercepted a lobbed pass by Carson Wentz and returned it for a touchdown. It is early in his career, but this was easily the best play of it so far.

Nick Chubb’s clutch run

Early in the 4th quarter the Browns led by only two points and they wisely called upon Nick Chubb. Chubb ripped off a 54-yard run which would set up a touchdown run by Kareem Hunt. This clutch run helped give Cleveland the much needed victory.

The overall yards per carry was not necessarily great for Cleveland as they finished at 3.5 for the game (again, minus the final kneel down). Without this run from Chubb it was only at 2.2. Sometimes it is about a well timed run at a crucial point which can decide a game. That is exactly what this run was for the Cleveland Browns.

Browns benefitted from Eagles Battleship Football game plan

There is a phrase that Mike Lombardi uses quite often on his GM Shuffle podcast when discussing the offense of the Philadelphia Eagles, Battleship Football. The offense has no real rhythm and plays are called without any real reason for doing so. The play calls were just like calling out random letter-number combinations hoping to get a hit. Early on Philly seemed to be avoiding this pitfall as they ran the ball on nine of their first 10 plays. The Eagles would go on to run the ball only 16 more times the rest of the game. Battleship Football came back to haunt them yet again and that is partially why the Eagles lost.

Browns come away with ugly win over Eagles

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The Cleveland Browns managed to come away with an ugly 22-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

It was another rainy Sunday in Cleveland and the Browns managed to defy the elements and come away with a win. Luckily for the Browns, the wind was not a factor and Cleveland overcame some absolutely ugly football.

A couple of key plays at key times helped seal the win for Cleveland. Sione Takitaki scored the only points of the first half thanks to a pick six of Carson Wentz. This was the second turnover in the 1st quarter for the Eagles and it definitely played a factor in the final outcome.

Cleveland’s rushing attack struggled for the majority of the game. Their fortunes changed as the game went on and a 54-yard rush late in the 4th quarter from Nick Chubb accounted for a large portion of their total. Chubb would finish with 20 rushes for 114 yards and Kareem Hunt scored the Browns only offensive touchdown with 11 yards on 13 carries.

As far as the passing game goes, it was another lackluster performance from Baker Mayfield. Mayfield completed 12 of 22 passes for 204 yards while being sacked three times and fumbling twice. This was another case of the Browns winning with Baker Mayfield and not because of him. If the game was going to come down to a situation where they needed a big throw from Mayfield there was a really good chance they were not going to get it from him.

The positives here are that the Cleveland Browns are 7-3 and they were able to win without Myles Garrett. There are questions about the legitimacy of their wins and just how good they are, but this is the best record they have had this deep into the season in a long, long time.

Browns activate Conklin, Parkey

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The Cleveland Browns have activated their starting right tackle and kicker from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Some good news for the Cleveland Browns coming on Saturday afternoon. The team has activated tackle Jack Conklin and Cody Parkey from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Saturday was the earliest that either player was eligible to be activated. The Browns special teams unit will be back to full strength as long snapper Charley Hughlett avoided landing on the list earlier this week. Perhaps more importantly Cleveland has an anchor on their offensive line back in Conklin. The jury is still out in regards to the status of Wyatt Teller, but having Conklin back either way is a huge win.

Browns: Teller, Wilson questionable vs. Eagles

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The Cleveland Browns may be without their right guard and linebacker against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday.

Wyatt Teller and Mack Wilson are not a lock to play this Sunday and the Browns may have to look at other options this Sunday against the Eagles. Both players are listed as questionable and may not be able to play.

Mack Wilson has not played a whole lot this season due to injuries and when he has been available he has only played more than 50 percent of the snaps in two of seven games. Cleveland can manage to be without Wilson if he is unable to go.

Wyatt Teller is a different story as he just returned last week and his presence made a huge difference. The return of Teller combined with Nick Chubb helped paved the way for the Cleveland rushing attack. If Teller is not able go on Sunday it could prove problematic for the running game. This is in addition to already being without Chris Hubbard and the possibility of Jack Conklin missing the game. If Cleveland were to be without Teller, Hubbard, and Conklin their offensive line play would see a dramatic decline in performance and effectiveness.

Browns: Hubbard, Janovich will not play Sunday

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The Cleveland Browns will be without their right tackle and fullback this week when they face the Philadelphia Eagles.

Chris Hubbard and Andy Janovich will not be available for the Cleveland Browns this Sunday as both players are still on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Cleveland can manage being without these two players by themselves, but a much larger problem could be on the horizon. The Browns may be without Jack Conklin as well as he remains on the reserve/COVD-19 list currently and is not eligible to return until Saturday at the earliest. This could prove to be problematic if neither player is available to play, but more will be known in regards to Conklin’s status on Saturday.

Myles Garrett placed on COVID-19/reserve list

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The Cleveland Browns have placed the defensive end on the COVID-19/reserve list.

When the Cleveland Browns take the field against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday they will be without defensive end Myles Garrett. Garrett has been placed on the COVID-19/reserve list after missing practice all week.

Myles Garrett is the most recent player to end up on this list. Jack Conklin and Cody Parkey were placed on the list earlier this week while Charley Hughlett managed to avoid ending up on the list. Luckily for the Browns, Garrett was not in the building and any possible spread or exposure to anyone else was hopefully prevented.

As far as this Sunday goes, the Browns defense will be in trouble. Myles Garrett is the best and most disruptive player on the Cleveland defense. Without Garrett, Cleveland will have a tough time making any game changing plays. His absence could lead to a long day on defense for the Browns. They are going to need their backup and rotational players to step up, however that is more than likely too much to ask. In short stints and the occasional play or two they are fine, but an entire game is a tall order they may not be able to fill.

Charley Hughlett cleared to return to facility

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The Cleveland Browns long snapper has been cleared to return to the facility and will not end up on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Some good news for the Cleveland Browns, Charley Hughlett has been cleared to return to the facility. Initially Hughlett was going to be placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but that did not end up being the case.

Kevin Stefanski provided an update in regards to Jack Conklin, Cody Parkey, and Myles Garrett as well. Conklin and Parkey were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and Garrett was at home on Wednesday.

Hughlett being cleared to return is a small victory, but a huge one as well. Not having to rely on a backup/emergency long snapper on short notice will make a difference. The possibility that Garrett returns Friday in addition to the returns of Parkey and Conklin on Saturday is also big. The Browns are going need everyone available to them in order to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

Myles Garrett at home sick Wednesday

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The Cleveland Browns defensive end is not practicing on Wednesday due to not feeling well.

There is a notable player who is not practicing for the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday, Myles Garrett. Garrett is at home sick per head coach Kevin Stefanski.

It is important to note that Stefanski stated that Myles Garrett has not tested positive for COVID-19 and players with symptoms have to stay at home.

These are all the right things to hear from Kevin Stefanski. The Browns placed three more players on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, being extra careful with players not feeling well is the right way to go. The Browns need to ensure that all of their players are healthy and can participate in as many games as possible. If it takes Myles Garrett staying at home when he is not feeling well to make that a reality so be it. It is about staying safe and stopping any possible spread, at the end of the day football is secondary.

Browns place three more on reserve/COVID-19 list

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The Cleveland Browns have placed three more players on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

One day after completing contact tracing and two after placing Andy Janovich on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the Cleveland Browns are placing three more players on that list. Jack Conklin, Charley Hughlett, and Cody Parkey have been added to the reserve/COVID-19 list after it was determined that they were in close contact with a non-staff member who tested positive.

As it was mentioned previously, the Browns need to monitor things very closely inside their building. This has not reached full-blown outbreak status as these players in particular have not tested positive, however there has been four players placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list just this week and that is not a good trend.

It is still possible that these players test negative and are able to play this week, but the same possibility also exists that they are not able to take the field this Sunday. Being without their starting right tackle and two integral parts of their special teams unit would be a big blow for Cleveland.

Browns complete contact tracing, re-open facility

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The Cleveland Browns have completed their contact tracing after placing their fullback on the COVID-19/reserve list.

On Monday the Cleveland Browns placed fullback Andy Janovich on the COVID-19/reserve list. After performing contact tracing, the team has re-opened the facility. No close contacts were found which led to the faculty being re-opened.

Even though the Browns have completed contact tracing, they are not out of the woods yet. The team will still need to monitor their players and their facilities moving forward. Janovich is just the latest player to be placed on this list, the team placed Chris Hubbard on the COVID-19/reserve list last week. Baker Mayfield spent a brief period of time on the list as well. There is still the possibility that other players will end up on list in the future and the Browns need to be prepared for it.