Cleveland Browns vs Baltimore Ravens: Film Room Session

A look at Austin Davis before his start this Sunday against the Bengals.

The Cleveland Browns did it again. The team once again discovering a new heartbreaking and embarrassing way to lose a football game. Special teams ultimately killed the Browns as they gave up a punt return for a touchdown and the game winning field goal block touchdown.

Defensively the Browns are still a mess and really made the Ravens offense look better than they actually are. The defense forced two interceptions, one coming in the form of a pick six by linebacker Karlos Dansby. Offensively the Browns were paced by veteran Josh McCown. McCown has been a pleasant surprise all season, having success in the passing game and being the ultimate leader and teammate. McCown threw for 212 yards and one touchdown before suffering a season ending collarbone injury.

With Johnny Manziel in the coaches doghouse, Austin Davis entered the game for the Browns and played well enough to give the Browns a chance to win the game at the end of regulation. With Davis’s strong play, Mike Pettine announced Wednesday Davis will start Sunday at home against the Cincinnati Bengals. Lets breakdown some of Davis’s throws getting you ready for Austin Davis’s first start as a member of the Cleveland Browns.

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Touchdown Pass to Travis Benjamin

Late in the fourth quarter the Browns trail and need a touchdown to tie the game. On this play the Browns work from shotgun four receiver formation. Ravens are playing with two high safeties and have a cover 4 zone look. The Browns have the perfect play to beat the cover 4 defense. The Browns run a post-in route combination or called a “Pin” route. The idea is to bait the safety into choosing where to cover, hopefully the dig route. The slot receiver is Brian Hartline and runs a deep dig route while outside receiver Travis Benjamin runs a deep post.

Source: NFL Game Pass

The play works exactly as the Browns drew it up. The route design is the perfect cover 4 beater, because it baits the safety downhill on the dig or over the top on the post. On this play Ravens safety works downhill to cover Brian Hartline who is running open behind the single zone linebacker. This leaves Travis Benjamin running a deep post while corner back Shareece Wright is playing with outside leverage. Wright has no help from safety Will Hill as he is committed to Hartline. Benjamin is able to easily run wide open on his post with the safety out of the picture and Davis reads it perfectly and delivers a touchdown. A great play call against the cover 4 and a great read and throw from Davis.

Source: NFL Game Pass

Davis pass to Travis Benjamin for 18 yards

This play comes one play before the touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin. The Ravens are in a cover 3 with a single high safety. Travis Benjamin (top left) runs a post corner route. The corner back Jimmy Smith is playing ten yards off the ball and is responsible for covering his third of the field. Davis is aware and understands the coverage being played by Baltimore.

Source: NFL Game Pass

Davis is quick and decisive making an accurate throw to the sideline where Benjamin is breaking open. With Baltimore’s Jimmy Smith playing in off zone coverage he doesn’t have time to react to the double move and quick throw by Davis. Davis’s success came from having a firm gasp on the Browns playbook and being able to decipher the Ravens coverages. With a full week of first team reps it will be interesting to see how Davis performs as the start Sunday vs Cincinnati.

Source: NFL Game Pass

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