It goes without saying that, in Deshaun Watson’s first official home game since October 2024, getting off to a fast start will be paramount for the Cleveland Browns.
If the offense struggles out of the gate, the chances of the crowd getting ugly and giving it to Watson are as guaranteed as the $230 million contract he signed back in 2022.
The harsh reality for head coach Todd Monken is that the Browns might have the worst first-half offense in football through two games. They played a near-perfect second half in last week’s win at Tampa Bay and had a decent fourth quarter in the opener at Jacksonville.
But prior to halftime? It’s been mostly a disaster across the board.
The Browns have had 12 first-half drives and have averaged 3.14 net yards per play. They’re 0-for-11 on third down on those drives with five three-and-outs and two turnovers.
Cleveland has scored six first-half points, both on Andre Szmyt field goals against Tampa Bay. One of those scoring drives came on the heels of a Baker Mayfield interception.
Cleveland ranks last in the NFL in first-half scoring (Carolina ranks third, by the way) and 29th in first-half time of possession share. Monken’s offense has gained a grand total of eight first downs prior to halftime.
It’s an alarming trend — and the Watson factor makes it even more glaring entering the home opener.
Cleveland's first-half offense can't afford another disappearing act against Carolina
The Browns have won the coin toss in both of their games this season, and both times Monken has elected to receive. It might be time to change that strategy.
Watson threw an interception on Cleveland’s opening drive against Jacksonville. Against the Bucs? The Browns managed to turn a second-and-1 situation into a three-and-out punt after Tampa Bay was all over a right-to-left sweep to wide receiver KC Concepcion for a loss of 6.
Offenses typically enter each game with a script of plays based on their opponents’ tendencies. The sledding usually gets tougher after the game declares itself and adjustments are made in the second half.
For the Browns, it’s been the complete opposite. Watson and the offense have gotten better as these games have gone on. Cleveland currently ranks tied for eighth in the NFL in second-half scoring at 13.5 points per game.
Monken clearly needs a new script, as he’s done a better job digging into his bag as a play caller later in games. The go-ahead touchdown pass from Watson to backup tight end Blake Whiteheart against the Bucs was a thing of beauty — and it was all Monken.
Part of the problem has been a focus on getting what has been a nonexistent run game going. The Browns have done an adequate job of blocking things up based on advanced analytics like run-block win rate, but the timing between Watson, running back Quinshon Judkins, and the offensive linemen needs some fine-tuning. Early-down runs have yielded Cleveland next to nothing but third-and-long situations.
Monken hasn’t uncovered the formula to help his team get off to a hot start, and as a new head coach, that could take some time.
Time is of the essence this week, though. A bunch of early three-and-outs or a turnover would only add to the expected unrest in the stadium. Watson’s best chance at balancing out the boo birds with cheers is finding the hot start that’s eluded his offense so far this season.
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