Last weekend, the Cleveland Browns sent the Tampa Bay Buccaneers spiraling into an early-season panic when they pulled off an upset victory. While Todd Monken's squad might not be fit for a playoff run, it could make a season out of ruining the hopes of its opponents. The next target? Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers.
Through two games, Young has finally looked like the No. 1 draft pick that the Panthers traded so much to get. His six passing touchdowns have him tied for first in the league, silencing his doubters. Panthers fans are finally starting to believe that they got their guy.
Unfortunately for Young, the Browns' defense is built to target every one of his weaknesses. Mike Rutenberg's unit could push the fourth-year QB right back into uncertainty in Week 3.
Bryce Young is set up to fail against Browns' defense in Week 3
Young has been exceptional this season. He ranks second in passing yards, tied for first in passing touchdowns, and sixth in EPA per play. His Panthers put up 27 and 34 points against the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons, respectively.
But even in the midst of his breakout, Young has had an obvious weakness. When he faces man coverage, his numbers fall off a cliff. Against man coverage, he ranks 28th in EPA per play, 29th in success rate, and 30th in completion percentage, per SumerSports.
In fact, Young has only completed 40.7% of his passes against man coverage this season. Only Justin Herbert, Cooper Rush, and Jameis Winston have been worse.
When forced to fit the ball into tight windows against man looks, Young's mediocre arm gets exposed. The Browns are built to magnify that weakness in Week 3.
Rutenberg's defense has played man coverage on 47.7% of its snaps so far this season. It's the highest rate in the NFL and close to double the league average. Most of those looks come with one safety playing over the top and either a blitzer or another defender dropping into the middle of the field.
Facing his biggest weakness on nearly half of his snaps, Young won't know what to do. His feel for zone coverage and ability to drop the ball into open space will be negated, forcing him to make perfect throws throughout the game.
Rutenberg's reliance on man coverage could end up being exactly what pushes the Browns to a surprise 2-1 start to the season.
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