The Cleveland Browns enter Week 6 against the New England Patriots losers in back-to-back games and must improve in these three areas in order to win.
The most frustrating thing about knowing that the Browns are 2-3 through the first five games is the fact they could have and likely should have won the three games they lost. Cleveland has lost those games by a combined total of six points.
One encouraging thing for the Browns entering the Week 6 showdown with the Patriots is the fact that all of the mistakes are fixable, so it is not time to panic in The Land.
Here are three areas the Browns must improve in to secure a victory in Week 6.
3 Areas Where the Browns Need to Improve in Week 6
No. 3: Cade York has to put the ball through the uprights
Coming into the season, the Browns figured they found their kicker of the future when they drafted Cade York in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, and they very well could have. With that being said, York must put the ball through the uprights, especially in the crucial moments of games.
Right now, he has a minor case of the yips, which could be troublesome if he cannot figure it out.
Last week, York missed two field goals that should be made by a guy drafted as high as he was. He missed from 45-yards to end the first half and then from 54-yards which would have put the Browns up with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
While those aren’t chip shots, a fourth-round pick needs to make those kicks. York didn’t make any excuses after the game and said he “just missed it.” Along with putting the ball through the uprights, coach Kevin Stefanski must get his kicker closer and that was not the case last Sunday.
No. 2: Kevin Stefanski must put Jacoby Brissett in better positions to succeed in the red zone
In each of the three losses for Cleveland this season, Jacoby Brissett has thrown a costly interception late in the game that helped seal wins for the other team.
Last week, after an impressive 12-play, 63-yard drive, Brissett threw his third pick of the season from the Los Angeles nine-yard line. Whether or not he could have run for the first down is irrelevant as the Browns simply could not afford that, especially being down by just two points at the time.
In that moment and at other times this season, Stefanski did not dial up the right play call. In order to win in the NFL, you cannot put your quarterback, who is a mostly career backup for a reason, in a position where a pick could be thrown.
At times, it seems as if Stefanski tries to get too cute with his calls or tries to outsmart the other team. At the end of the day, and as he mentioned in his Monday press conference, the Browns offense just needs to finish.
Figuring out a way to get it done in the red zone would be a huge step in the right direction and would help them close out games.
No. 1: The defense must contain the opposing team’s rushing attack
It is not a secret that the Browns have struggled defensively throughout the first five games, more so in the run game. Last week was one of the worst performances from this unit in recent memory.
The Chargers came into the Week 5 contest with 258 total rushing yards through the first four weeks. Against Cleveland, they pounded the rock for 238 yards, led by Austin Ekeler, who finished with a career-best 173 yards. A week prior against Atlanta, the Browns allowed 202 rushing yards.
That is completely unacceptable for a defense that is said to be loaded with talent. With that said, the Browns do lack the talent at the defensive tackle position, an area that general manager Andrew Berry has been negligent in.
While it might not happen this season, defensive coordinator Joe Woods’ seat is heating up by the week. After the first month-plus of the season, one has to wonder if the defense is fixable.
The short answer is yes, but patience amongst the fan base is growing extremely thin. Star EDGE rusher Myles Garrett, who is not putting up the greatest sack numbers, is not helping much in stopping the run either. As the leader of this team, he must step up and lead this team to stop the run or Sunday could get out of hand.
New England comes into Week 5 with the NFL’s ninth-best rushing attack, averaging 138 yards per game and 4.6 yards per carry. Last week against the Lions, the Patriots racked up 176 yards on the ground, led by Rhamondre Stevenson’s 161 yards. If the defense cannot figure their issues out this week, Stevenson could run wild yet again.
After Sunday’s loss to the Chargers, Berry traded for Deion Jones, previously of the Falcons. Whether or not he will play Sunday after spending the first five weeks on the IR is unknown at this time, he should be able to come in and help this defense stop the run.