The Cleveland Browns' three-game winning streak is officially in the rearview mirror. The Browns are 3-2 after five weeks, dropping a game they should've won against a lesser New York Jets team that kept making mistakes.
This was a classic trap game, and not just because of the schedule. The pouring rain made it tough on both teams, although that shouldn't be an excuse. Bad weather or not, there were several unforced errors.
Looking at a divisional matchup with the Baltimore Ravens up next, let's take a look at the four biggest questions Todd Monken and his coaching staff must answer after this disappointing matchup.
Cleveland's loss to the Jets exposed several issues that can't follow them into Week 6
Should Quinshon Judkins continue to lead the Browns' running back room?
Another game, another Quinshon Judkins dud. This might be a blocking and scheme issue, but the second-year back isn't doing himself any favors, constantly running into defenders even though he doesn't face stacked boxes often.
Judkins ran the ball 14 times on Sunday, but he only managed to amass 44 rushing yards. That's 3.1 yards per carry, and it includes a 14-yard run.
Is it time to take a more committee-based approach and give other running backs more opportunities? That and everything else should be on the table as Monken and his staff work to get this fixed.
How can the Browns get Denzel Boston more touches?
Denzel Boston drew seven targets, but it felt like Deshaun Watson barely looked his way in the first half of the Jets game. It wasn't until the team desperately needed a play that they actually tried to get the rookie going.
Boston is the team's biggest and most reliable pass catcher. He has to be much more than just a big-play threat for Watson and the passing game.
Boston should be drawing double-digit targets every week.
Is it time to worry about Jared Verse?
Jared Verse's slow start to the season continues. He should have been called for roughing the passer early in the game, and it was otherwise a pretty uneventful evening for the Browns' young defensive end.
Verse is still helping the team in other ways, like in the locker room and other areas that don't show up on the stat sheet.
But at some point, this team should want some production from their prized defender.
How can the Browns replace KC Concepcion?
Concepcion was the latest victim of Minkah Fitzpatrick's dirty hits. He claimed to be OK after leaving the game with an apparent severe concussion, but he still has to clear the league's protocol before being eligible to return. There's no guarantee that will happen before Week 6.
Concepcion's versatility makes him the Browns' most important skill player, and it was painfully evident when he wasn't on the field. Isaiah Bond had a drop fest, Jerry Jeudy didn't do much, and the Browns clearly need someone to pick up the slack and keep defenders guessing.
Add us as a preferred source on Google