Cleveland Browns: Grades from loss vs. Dolphins

Running Backs: B

One refreshing aspect of Sunday’s otherwise miserable game was the solid play of the running backs, especially Isaiah Crowell. The stats both Crowell and colleague Duke Johnson Jr. put up do not do them justice as to how well they played.

Crowell, the featured back for the majority of the contest, ran for 79 yards on 15 carries. Similarly, Johnson ran for 69 yards on 10 carries, an exceptional yards per carry average. Often times, the offensive line struggled to create holes for Crowell and Johnson, especially Crowell. In these instances, the third-year back would put his shoulder down and gain positive yardage anyway.

It is often underestimated what solid running back play can do. There were numerous times in which Crowell created a positive chunk of yardage from a play which was not blocked very well. This kept the offense ahead of the chains and really jumpstarted Cleveland’s successful, or nearly successful, drives.

As for Johnson, many of his carries went to the outside, where his impressive speed was on full display. The former Miami Hurricane also had five receptions for 12 yards, playing a key role on third downs.

Overall, the running backs deserve a “B” because of their consistent play. Each did their job and put the Browns in a position offensively where they could have won the game. How they didn’t is a different story having nothing to do with this unit.