Cleveland Browns: Takeaways from the offense’s performance in Week 13

Running game disappearing act

Again, this team just cannot, and I mean CANNOT commit to the ground game. I’m not sure if Hue Jackson just thinks that Kizer is going to magically morph into Aaron Rodgers, but to only run the ball 22 times in a game that was decided by nine points continues to be a head scratcher. And an unfortunate theme of this season.

The Browns were dominated in time of possession by nearly ten minutes. TEN MINUTES. The Chargers, while dropping back 43 times, still managed to get Melvin Gordon the ball 19 times, two more than both Browns backs combined.

Melvin Gordon and Isaiah Crowell averaged the same YPC at a modest 4.1, and Crowell seemed to be running well when given the opportunity. Whether it’s the contract negotiations or just bad game management, Crowell has certainly not been given enough carries to help take the pressure off of Kizer.

And then we have Duke Johnson. Perhaps the best all around player for the Browns from a utility standpoint, and being the team’s leading receiver with only two catches and four targets. Duke Johnson and Kenny Britt had the same receiving stat line in case you weren’t frustrated enough.

His seven carries for two yards are uninspiring, but regardless he’s one of maybe three playmakers on this offense and needs around 15 touches to really be effective. He must see what Alvin Kamara is being given in New Orleans and long for those type of opportunities.

The biggest difference between those two situations to me is that the Saints actually draw up plays to utilize Kamara’s electric skill set. For Duke, I just don’t see a lot of it and I think if they made him a focal point of the offense he could put up similar production.