CLEVELAND, Ohio – Doodles in my notebook while the Browns follow the Jets, 13-3, in the middle.
1. Although there was a lot of talk before the game about the Browns losing two strikers and four receivers, it was also the defense that had problems. This was especially true in passing coverage.
2. The Jets’ first TD came in a 43-yard pass from receiver Jamison Crowder to the other receiver Braxton Berrios. The Browns’ defense was duped and Berrios was open. It was a broken cover.
3. The next New York TD in an 11-yard TD moves from Sam Darnold to Chris Herndon. Herndon was wide open in the end zone when it looked like Denzel Ward and Karl Joseph were confused and none of them followed him into the end zone.
4. It was a tough day for Nick Harris, making his first NFL debut on the right guard. He gave up on a bag. He also seemed to be impressed by some other moves. Mayfield was fired twice in the first half. He also hurried frequently. This is the biggest pressure he has faced since the Browns lost 38-7 in Pittsburgh on October 18.
5. This game shows the good job that newcomer Jedrick Wills was doing on the left tackle. He lost the game due to a non-COVID disease. Kendall Lamm started in the left attack and fought. He also gave up on a bag. Baker Mayfield has been fired three times.
6. The Browns had zero yards running in the first quarter. That’s right … ZERO. Nick Chubb carried the ball four times, failed to gain a meter. At halftime, Chubb had 6 yards on eight loads. Kareem Hunt had a shuttle, minus 2 yards. So that adds up to 4 yards on nine shipments.
7. The Jets entered the game ranked 30th against the race, so it was not as if the Browns were facing an excellent defense. The offensive line was being overloaded.
8. I thought this could be a good day for Hunt. For the most part, he did not participate in the offense. He dropped a pass. Another move for him was low and behind the running back. And he carried one for minus-2. Finally, at the last minute of time, he managed an 8-yard pass. It needs to be a focal point in the second half.
9. The Browns came out playing for tight ends. Austin Hooper, who had five receptions in 54 yards. The other tight end Harrison Bryant took three passes for 37 yards. Wide receivers took just one pass, a 6-yard pass for newcomer Ja’Marcus Bradley.
10. I was a little tired of hearing the TV people talking about how the Browns had to delay their flight on Saturday by 4 ½ hours while solving the COVID-19 problems. Look, it’s a charter flight. They did not travel as a stage coach.