Grading the Cleveland Browns offense in their narrow Week 7 victory

Week 7 provided a little bit of everything for Browns fans. Peaks, valleys, highs, and lows. From utter disappointment to pure unbridled jubilation, the Cleveland Browns gave their fanbase every single emotion possible during their narrow victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

The game started with a 69-yard house call from Jerome Ford and ended with P.J. Walker taking a knee in victory formation. There was so much action in between, that anything less than a monologue from Michael Pena’s character Luis from Ant-Man would be a disservice to the insane amount of craziness that took place in Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.

The bottom line is the Browns left Indianapolis with a win and a record of 4-2. And while there are plenty of questions that need to be answered before the Browns take the field in Seattle in week 8, it's always better to learn from a win than it is a loss. With that being said, it's time to grade the Browns offensive performance against Gus Bradley’s defense.

Grading the Cleveland Browns offense in their narrow week seven victory over the Colts

Offensive Line Grade: C+

The Cleveland Browns offensive line has been playing better since their bye week. Now the offensive line play is not where we thought it would be this season, but for the second week in a row, they were able to create some opportunities for the running backs. The offensive line paved the way for 150 rushing yards on 33 attempts.

Now it should be noted that 69 of those rushing yards came on one play, but there were many instances, including the one-yard touchdown run by Kareem Hunt to seal the game, where the Browns asserted their dominance up front. Going forward, without Jerome Ford for at least the next game, Cleveland will need to be more consistent in the running game up front to stay out of predictable passing situations.

The Browns were able to limit the effectiveness of the Colts’ pass rush, giving up only two sacks on the afternoon. Once again right tackle Dawand Jones played a stellar game in pass protection allowing one single pressure on 40 pass blocking snaps. If the Bill Callahan’s unit can stay on this upward trajectory, it could help buoy the Browns offense regardless of who the quarterback is.

Running Back Grade: C

While the Browns rushing statistics are elevated due to the 69-yard homerun Jerome Ford hit early in the first quarter, overall, it was a solid day from an effort standpoint for the running backs. It was definitely a tough sledding afternoon for the entire running back room.

When you take out Ford’s 69-yard scamper the running backs only rushed for 2.18 yards a tote. That is clearly not efficient enough, and going forward that number needs to be much closer to four yards per carry.

However, when you take into consideration that Ford left with an ankle sprain and Hunt was a game-time decision with a thigh injury, you have to admire the grit and effort that the room played with. Hunt was able to put two of his 10 carries into the endzone, including the game-winner, and when he had to bite down on their mouthpiece and get a yard, Hunt was able to get that yard.

Tight Ends Grade: B-

It's hard not to admire David Njoku. From a blocking standpoint, Njoku is an anomaly at the tight end position. When he arrived in Cleveland in 2017, Njoku was practically allergic to blocking. Fast forward to 2023 and Njoku is literally one of the best blockers at the tight end position in the entire NFL.

But once again we leave another game feeling like he could have utilized more in the passing game, but Njoku caught five balls for 54 yards. However, ‘the Chief’ was targeted twice on the final goal line sequence but was unable to come up with either of Walker’s passes. Overall, Njoku’s play alone nets this room an above average grade on the afternoon.

Wide Receiver Grade: C-

This is a hard positional room to grade considering the musical chairs that has taken place at the quarterback position for the past calendar month. But there was an obvious lack of plays made on the catchable balls that were thrown to the Browns wide receivers against the Colts on Sunday.

While those catchable passes were few and far between, Cleveland's receivers let Walker down more than a few times on the afternoon. Even the sure-handed Amari Cooper dropped two passes that were gimmes for the Pro Bowl wide receiver. When playing with a backup quarterback, it is incumbent on the receivers to make whatever plays are there to be made, and that just didn't happen in week seven.

Quarterback Grade: D+

Not a banner day for Cleveland quarterbacks. Deshaun Watson started the game but never looked ready to play from a physical, and even perhaps mental, standpoint. Watson’s throwing shoulder is still clearly an issue. None of his five pass attempts had any zip on them and they were atrociously inaccurate.

After sustaining a hit while throwing on the run, Watson’s day mercifully came to an end. Enter P.J. Walker ‘Ohio Ranger’. Just as Walker did the previous week against San Francisco, he battled to the very end and gutted out a win.

However, the win is the only thing that is keeping this quarterback room from receiving an F. Walker was erratic in his decision making, and at time careless with the football. The fact that he was only picked off one time in the contest in itself is a miracle.

But, on the final drive, when Walker had to make plays with his arm, he made it happen. Regardless if it comes from Watson or Walker or a QB not even on the current roster, the Browns have to get better play out of the quarterback position than they got on Sunday. But a win is a win and they all count the same.