1st and Goal: Is coach Kevin Stefanski going to make a quarterback change this week?
When the Browns head coach, Kevin Stefanski, was asked about making a change at quarterback at a recent press conference and potentially benching veteran Joe Flacco and instead going with rookie Dillon Gabriel, he wouldn’t commit to Flacco. He danced around the question and wouldn’t say conclusively that he’d stick with Flacco.
Flacco has played horribly these first four games of the season. He’s ranked 32nd in completion percentage. He’s only thrown 2 touchdown passes. He’s thrown six interceptions and is ranked last in Quarterback Passer Rating at only 60.3 %. He looks every bit a 40-year-old quarterback hanging on to avoid a full-fledged retirement from the game.
If the coach chooses to go to the rookie quarterback now, it would be in a game played in London, England. Cleveland plays the Minnesota Vikings there next Sunday morning. The crowd probably won’t be like a normal hostile away crowd, so it might be the best place for Gabriel to get his first NFL start.
Stay tuned!
Photo via Imagn Images
2nd and Goal: Turnovers and special teams continue to be a problem
In the Browns loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, they gave up 24 points between the three turnovers that included two interceptions thrown by Joe Flacco and a lost fumble too by the aging QB. Cleveland also gave up a punt return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter that came at the worst possible moment.
The Browns are a -6 in turnover ratio, which is ranked dead last in the league. They have turned the ball over eight times and gotten only two takeaways themselves. If this turnover ratio number continues going south don’t expect many more victories this season for Cleveland.
Photo via Imagn Images
3rd and Goal: Speaking of problems, that Cleveland offense is still stuck in the mud
It’s been ugly. To discuss the Browns offense, most people will begin with a joking attitude and ask “What offense?” That’s how bad this Cleveland has been so far this season.
Cleveland is only averaging 14 points a game through the first four games of the season. Surprisingly, that’s not ranked last as the Tennessee Titans hold that spot by scoring 12.8 points a game.
Last season, the Browns only averaged 15.2 points per game and were dead last in the league. The good teams in the league, like the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens, average over 30 points a game.
Photo via Imagn Images
4th and Goal: Quinshon Judkins is off to a great rookie season
The Browns new rookie running back Quinshon Judkins has started out great this season. He missed the Week 1 game but has played in the last three games.
So far, he’s rushed for 237 yards on 77 carries and scored two touchdowns. He has a solid 4.8 yards per carry average so far, and each game, he seems to be getting stronger. In this last game, he carried the ball 21 times for 82 yards and one touchdown.
Cleveland has needed to reboot the run game with the departure of Nick Chubb, and Judkins seems, at this point to be able to take the reins as the new primary running back.
The Browns next opponent, the Minnesota Vikings, have given up over 130 rushing yards per game average to their first four opponents. Chances of Judkins having another solid outing look good at this point.
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