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Cleveland Browns must be unconventional to win

By Joel W. Cade

Dec 11, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) gets hit by a Cincinnati Bengals player during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Bengals won 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) gets hit by a Cincinnati Bengals player during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Bengals won 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Corey Coleman (19) runs with the ball after a catch as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (27) defends during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Bengals won 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Corey Coleman (19) runs with the ball after a catch as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (27) defends during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Bengals won 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

The Browns need to simply go for it on fourth down. Analytics have clearly demonstrated when it makes sense to go for it on fourth down and when it is not. The modern NFL game carries with it the punting wisdom it inherited from a time in which 10-7 games where the norm. But the NFL has changed.

The Browns give up almost 29 points a game and there is no way the Browns offense can keep that pace by punting as regularly as they do.

The Browns can help both their offense and defense by playing unconventionally on fourth down. There are easily accessible charts that are guides for when to go for it and when not do. But since roughly have the NFL plays go for an average of four yards, it seems that dependent on field position and distance, the Browns should be taking more shots on fourth down than they do.

Going for it must be done intelligently. If done correctly, the Browns can give themselves more scoring opportunities. A bonus would be to keep their opponents offense off the field. The game has changed, it is time for the punt strategy to change with it.

Conventional punting is simply a give up play this Browns team can no longer afford.

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