Cleveland Browns vs. Denver Broncos: Film room session

The Cleveland Browns lost yet another heartbreaker Sunday, falling to the Denver Broncos 26-23 in overtime. Turnovers, poor coaching decisions, and not being able to capitalize on Broncos mistakes ultimately cost the Browns the game. However, every play matters and can dictate the outcome of a game. This film room segment is all about dissecting key plays that were pivotal turning points in the game.

3rd & 23 on Browns only drive in overtime

The Browns were given great field position on Denver’s 39 yard line following Barkevious Mingo’s interception. The Browns just needed to gain positive yards and could have attempted a field goal. A run of minus three yards on first down and a sack on second down forced the Browns into a 3rd and forever situation. The Browns needed to gain at least 10 to 15 yards back to attempt a long game winning field goal. On the play the Browns work out of shotgun trips right formation with a single receiver to the far left. On the snap McCown goes into his three step drop. On the trips side the receivers are running longer developing downfield routes because of the down and distance.

Once McCown reaches the third step of his drop he immediately drops his eyes and takes off running up the middle. It was a bizarre decision to run and McCown made it look like a quarterback draw. McCown had a perfectly clean pocket and had more than enough time to scan the field. On the play Brian Hartline who is the out wide right runs a corner post. Hartline gives a hard move to the outside and cuts back inside on a deep post route. Hartline beats the deep safety who is in help coverage.

If McCown was patient and stayed inside the pocket the play had potential for a touchdown. When the Browns needed a chunk of yards back, McCown made a very poor decision by trying to do it with his legs and not his arm when the Browns had there only opportunity of overtime wasted.

3&23 in OT, McCown runs from clean pocket, doesn't allow routes to develop, Hartline out wide rt runs doubl... https://t.co/Y3XdYyGfcj
— Eric Szczepinski (@eszczepinski2) October 20, 2015

4 & 5 on first offensive drive of the game.

The Browns elected to go for it rather than attempt a long field goal. On the play the Browns lineup in shotgun with two receivers to each side. On the snap McCown quickly glances to the left where Travis Benjamin is running a “go” route to the end zone. However, McCown failed to recognize the coverage by Denver and assumes Benjamin will be double covered. On the snap it appears Benjamin is double covered by the corner back and the safety. The corner shadows Benjamin and the safety is playing over the top.

Once Benjamin gets past the corner he becomes the safeties responsibility. It becomes a one on one for Benjamin verse the safety and he blows past him. Hitting Benjamin in stride would have been an easy touchdown for the Browns. But instead, McCown comes back to the middle to where he stares down Gary Barnidge. McCown is looking for Barnidge, who on the play who runs a seven yard “in” route over the middle. Barnidge is in tight coverage by former Brown T.J. Ward and the pass is broken up and the Browns turn over on downs.

McCown gets snap and quickly glances to left but goes mid, on left DEN appears to have Benjamin double cove... https://t.co/JV7FLv4UKP
— Eric Szczepinski (@eszczepinski2) October 20, 2015

Josh McCown intercepted by Aqib Talib and returned for a touchdown

On the play the McCown is in the shotgun in an empty set with five receivers out wide. To the near hash, the Browns run a hitch, seam route concept. Denver is playing a simple cover 4 defense. There are two deep safeties each covering a deep half of the field. Both corners play seven yards off the ball and McCown thinks he will have an easy completion to the hitch route. The outside receiver Travis Benjamin is running the hitch route.

In coverage for Denver is pro bowl corner back Aqib Talib. Talib bates McCown into thinking he has a simple throw and catch but he reads his eyes the whole way and jumps the route. Talib has great closing speed and is able to jump the quick hitch route even though he was playing seven yards off the line of scrimmage. Talib does a perfect job of bating McCown into thinking he was taking a low risk throw. However, the play turned out to be a key deciding factor in the game.

Source: NFL Game Pass

Browns vs Broncos: Film Room Session

By Eric Szczepinski | Oct 20, 2015