Cleveland Browns: Week 3 Film Room session

Breaking down several key plays from the Cleveland Browns’ Week 3 loss against the Miami Dolphins in another close game that should have been won.

Facing injuries and adversity on the road against the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson got the best of his young team despite a 30-24 overtime loss. The Browns had several chances to win the game, but a missed field goal by recently signed kicker Cody Parkey at the end of regulation sent the game to overtime.

Rookie quarterback Cody Kessler shook off two early fumbles in a gutsy debut performance. Kessler looked much improved from the preseason and threw decisively and accurately to his receivers. The biggest thing that stood out about Kessler was he threw no interceptions and managed the game effectively.

In the absence of rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman, Terrelle Pryor played his best game overall since converting positions. Pryor had 200 total yards on the day, and was the catalyst of a Browns offense that featured his dynamic skill set. Coach Jackson comprised a great game plan making Pryor the focal point on the day.

To relieve pressure off the rookie quarterback, the offense used Pryor at quarterback for 17 percent of the snaps on Sunday. In the special shotgun formation, Jackson utilized Pryor’s strengths by running the read-option with Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson Jr. In addition, to keep the Dolphins defense off-balance, Pryor ran five pass plays, primarily bootlegs off play-action fakes. Pryor completed three of the passes on the day and gave an added successful widget in the offense.

Defensively, Briean Boddy-Calhoun received the start in place of the injured Joe Haden. Boddy-Calhoun is an undrafted rookie out of Minnesota University. He spent training camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars before being claimed off waivers prior to Week 1 by the Browns.

Boddy-Calhoun made the most of his NFL debut by intercepting a pass and returning it for a touchdown. The rookie made the most of his opportunity and should receive playing time even when Joe Haden returns.

Let’s take a closer look at the play of the aforementioned players in this week’s film study.