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Grades from the blowout loss to the Cowboys

By Jonathan Goehring

Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs with the ball as Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Joe Schobert (53) and strong safety Derrick Kindred (30) defend during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs with the ball as Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Joe Schobert (53) and strong safety Derrick Kindred (30) defend during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Backs: F

As anticipated, there was absolutely no running room for the Browns all afternoon. Even though they were set up to fail, the running backs took failure to a whole new level. Dallas, who plays a very soft style of defense, rarely allowed Isaiah Crowell or Duke Johnson across the line of scrimmage.

The numbers are incredibly ugly. Johnson rushed for 30 yards on five carries, and Crowell pushed forward for four yards on six carries. Even for a team without a running game, this type of stagnant rushing attack is unprecedented.

The offensive line is partially to blame for this, but it doesn’t excuse the running backs unit. Often times, they tried to do too much, knowing that they couldn’t ride blocks. The Browns also ran the draw play several times, hoping that the pass would set up the run.

This strategy blew up in their face though as the running backs could not find any holes to sneak through. Nothing as far as the running game was concerned ever even got started for the Browns. It was a miserable afternoon for Crowell and Johnson.

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