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Browns won't change QBs, but something has to change with offense | Takeaways
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- Browns won't change QBs, but something has to change with offense | Takeaways
LANDOVER, Md. — The question was firm and direct after the Browns' 34-13 loss to the Washington Commanders . Coach Kevin Stefanski's answer to the question was just as firm and direct.
Would Stefanski consider a change at quarterback from Deshaun Watson ? The answer, in a nutshell, was no way.
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"Yeah, we're not changing quarterbacks," Stefanski said. "We need to play better. I need to coach better, and that's really what it is."
If Stefanski really is true to his words, and Watson will take snaps under center next Sunday when the Browns are back on the I-95 corridor at the Philadelphia Eagles , then it's really hard to see when he would make a change at the position. Sunday's game was far from only on Watson's shoulders, but considering the way the offense performed he's high up on the culpability list.
The game was over by halftime, when the Commanders led 24-3. They were able to build that lead in large part because the Browns couldn't even do the one thing they've generally been good at over the first four games, which was at least getting off to a good start.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson looks on after a loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Landover, Maryland.
Instead, this time, they could only muster a second drive capped by a 51-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins that cut their deficit to 7-3. Three was also the number of first downs the Browns were able to muster in the first half, as they were unable to sustain anything.
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Five of the Browns' eight first-half possessions were three-and-outs. Their best drive was the scripted first one, which still ended in a failed fourth-down try at the Washington 47.
"We need to play better as an offense," Stefanski said. "We need to be able to move the ball first and second down, convert when we get the third down, score in the red zone. We're not doing that. We need to play better as an offense. We need to coach better as an offense."
The Browns' 3.8 yards per play through five games is the lowest for any team in the NFL since the 2018 Buffalo Bills , according to Stathead. Browns offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey was part of that Bills staff.
Want some more perspective? The 1999 expansion Browns had a 3.65 yards-per-play average, and neither the 1-15 2016 nor the 0-16 2017 team had an average that low.
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"I mean, you just got to believe," Watson said. "You got to keep that faith, you got to believe in each week. It's just another opportunity. You never know what's going to happen. So that's all we can do is just keep believing, keep just putting in the work and trying to find ways to get better."
When is a delay of game penalty worthwhile? The Browns found a way
Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski looks on against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Landover, Maryland.
A 5-yard penalty for delay of game is not something a team typically wants to take. A delay of game when you're inside the opponent's 10 and facing fourth and 3 is definitely not where you want to take one.
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Unless you're the Browns, who were doomed to a 5-yard penalty in that situation already. That's what happened in the third quarter Sunday, as they appeared to be debating going for it from the Washington 8.
The problem? Too many players in the huddle, which is why Watson walked off the field toward Stefanski and Cleveland was hit with a delay flag.
"We had penalties and some miscommunications, which are completely on me," Stefanski said. "I'll take responsibility for all of that. That looks like losing football to me. I'll get it fixed."
The Browns ended up with a 30-yard field goal by Hopkins, cutting the deficit to 24-6.
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Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett done with the 'talking'
There was some talk in the locker room after Sunday's loss about the work the Browns did during the week. There was an added level of frustration about what they called a good week of preparation going to waste in a loss like the one they had in Washington.
Defensive end Myles Garrett was asked about any changes that need to be made to the preparation in order to produce better Sunday results.
"I mean, we've talked enough over the last two weeks," Garrett said. "There's been a lot of conversations. Offense, defense, amongst the defensive meeting room, we've had enough talk. Go out there and do your job as individually and as a team."
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Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns won't change QBs, but something has to change: Takeaways
