Cleveland Browns: Week 2 grades in somewhat ugly win

Cleveland Browns Offense: B+

While it’s easy to be down on the Browns as they were in a close game with a bad team, keep in mind that two plays kept this from likely being a blowout. Donovan Peoples-Jones fumbled on the third drive of the game as the Browns were driving to go ahead 14-7, and Mayfield threw an interception the next drive as they were once again driving.

Honestly, turnovers can’t happen in the NFL, but these were great learning experiences. Peoples-Jones made a great catch and just caught a helmet right on the football. It was a perfect hit and it would have been tough for anyone to hang on.

Anthony Schwartz then gave up on a route that led to the Mayfield interception. Rookies are going to make mistakes, and you can bet in the film room the coaches are pointing out that you can’t give up.  In the NFL, you can throw any receiver open so you can’t just quit on a route.

Other than that, the offense was good. The Texans stopped the run for a good portion of the game, but the big guys finally wore them down and Nick Chubb ended up with 95 yards on the day.

Mayfield was perfect, other than the interception from the Schwartz mistake. He was 19-of-21 for 213 yards, and one touchdown. He did take two sacks as the Texans were able to get some pressure. The one sack was not his fault, but on the second he got caught holding the ball a few seconds too long.

All in all, the Cleveland Browns offense is still miles ahead of the defense and should be in good shape moving forward. However, the Browns could face the Bears without Odell Beckham and Landry, which could create additional challenges.