Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

Cleveland Browns: Grades from shameful loss in Buffalo

By Jonathan Goehring

Dec 18, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Brandon Tate (15) runs a sweep during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Brandon Tate (15) runs a sweep during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 11
Next
Dec 18, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) tries to jump over Buffalo Bills cornerback Ronald Darby (28) during the first half at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) tries to jump over Buffalo Bills cornerback Ronald Darby (28) during the first half at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Backs: F

It really is difficult to assess the performance of Duke Johnson and Isaiah Crowell in this one, since there really wasn’t one. As it turned out, it was yet another day when not much went on for this position.

Carrying the ball a total of 13 times, Johnson and Crowell combined for 59 yards. They did what they could with absolutely no space, and had a couple of exciting plays negated by holding penalties.

Through the air, Johnson led the way among all receivers with 62 yards on five receptions. But with drops from both him and Crowell, even this area of the offense was frustrating to watch. The Browns made a clear effort to get the ball to these two backs with screen passes, but this backfired quickly.

As for pass protecting, the running backs were nowhere to be found. It is hard to pin any of the five sacks Cleveland surrendered on Johnson or Crowell, but they sure didn’t help.

Home/Browns News