Cleveland Browns: Grades from the 31-17 loss to the Bengals

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Oct 23, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (11) misses a pass against Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (27) during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /

Wide Receivers: D

Quite possibly the most reliable position group thus far in 2016 has been the wide receivers, anchored by standout Terrelle Pryor. In this contest though, Pryor’s injury limited him, and he had little impact on the game. Finishing with just two receptions for 18 yards, the converted quarterback was virtually irrelevant.

As a result, Cleveland needed other receivers to step up. For the most part, they didn’t. Andrew Hawkins and Rashard Higgins tied as the Browns’ most productive pass catchers on the afternoon, each recording two receptions for a total of 19 yards.

In total, Cleveland receivers produced just 61 yards for an offense which prides itself in throwing the ball. This matches just over 10 percent of Cincinnati’s total yards, which just isn’t going to get it done.

The Browns needed a receiver like Pryor to offset A. J. Green, Cincinnati’s leading receiver. They didn’t have that go-to player Sunday afternoon, and it cost them. The real question is though, why did the Browns keep throwing the ball if their receivers weren’t making plays? This is a question to examine later.

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