What We Saw: Week 3

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Bears @ Browns

Final Score: Browns 26, Bears 6

Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)

In his first game back in the state where he had a highly decorated college career, former Ohio State Buckeye Justin Fields’ return to Ohio didn’t go as well as he probably hoped. With Bears QB Andy Dalton sidelined for their trip to Cleveland, the Bears looked to their athletically gifted rookie to run the offense. The end result for the Bears was one of the uglier offensive displays I have seen this season, but I’m not sure if that’s a result of the personnel on the field or the playcalling from the sideline. On the other side of the ball, the Browns got off to a slow start before looking like the highly efficient offense we have seen thus far in 2021, ultimately dominating this game on the ground. Their defense absolutely smothered the Bears all game, as evident by the final score.

Chicago Bears

Quarterback

Justin Fields: 6/20, 68 yards, 9 Sacks | 3 carries, 12 yards

No, that is not a typo. Nine sacks. Overall, this was not the ideal start to his career that Justin Fields envisioned when he decided to declare for the NFL draft and forego his final year of college eligibility. The offensive line for the Bears was doing him no favors, as Fields was running for his life almost every drop back. The Bears were behind for most of the game, which did not allow Fields the freedom to run the ball as much as he likely needs to. He did not look comfortable basically the entire game, which isn’t difficult to imagine considering he was hit over 15 times in this matchup. On a positive note, Fields didn’t turn the ball over even with the constant pressure he faced. There’s certainly room for improvement, and I can see Fields succeeding against a less-formidable front seven later this season. Right now, though, he simply isn’t ready and/or the Matt Nagy doesn’t know how to utilize him just yet.

"It's time." 😤@MotorolaUS | #CHIvsCLE pic.twitter.com/oxxZpz7msc

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 26, 2021

Unfortunately, it wasn’t just yet…

Running Back

David Montgomery: 10 carries, 34 yards | 4 targets, 2 receptions, 21 yards

Totaling a mere 55 yards on the day, this was not what we wanted to see out of the talented Iowa State running back. With how badly the Browns were containing the Bears passing attack, it kept the lid on the run game almost the entire game. It’s hard to effectively run the ball when you find yourself trailing the entire game. David Montgomery still got 12 touches but was held without a touchdown and limited in the yardage department. He ran hard all game, but Matt Nagy failed to get him involved as the game progressed outside of a few dump-offs. The pass rush of Cleveland called for extra pass protection, which required the backfield to help block for Justin Fields, ultimately limiting the fantasy ceiling for D-Mont. The Bears have shown they are willing to feed him, but the game script basically scripted him out by half time. If the Bears can hang a little closer with their opponent in their upcoming matchups, I think D-Mont will right the ship sooner rather than later.

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Allen Robinson: 6 targets, 2 receptions, 27 yards

Cole Kmet: 4 targets, 1 reception, 11 yards

Darnell Mooney: 4 targets, 1 reception, 9 yards

Jimmy Graham: 1 target

Marquise Goodwin: 1 target

Again, not a lot to write home about here considering the Bears had a net total of 47 yards on the day. The target distribution among the Bears pass catchers was ideal, with Allen Robinson leading the way with six targets. Be it due to an inaccurate pass or a drop, the Bears pass catchers were held to a total of four receptions. There was almost no time for routes to develop as the Browns defenders were draped all over Justin Fields from the first snap. Fields did not look to have chemistry with his pass-catchers just yet. Keep in mind the Browns defense is one of the better units on paper, so the Bears can look to bounce back next week against the Lions.

Cleveland Browns

Quarterback

Baker Mayfield: 19/31, 246 yards, TD, 5 Sacks | 4 rushes, 31 yards

Browns QB Baker Mayfield got off to a slow start, which is odd considering how efficient he has been thus far. After shaking off a few badly missed throws, including one sure-touchdown to running back Demetric Felton, Baker looked back in form. There were a few instances where his old habit of holding onto the ball forever bit him in the butt, as the Bears pass rush was able to bring him down five times, but otherwise he looked decisive and poised under center. As opposed to the swiss cheese that is the Bears offensive line, the Browns offensive line continues to give Baker all the time he needs to drop a dime. Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. was in-and-out due to his ankle injury, but you wouldn’t have been able to tell from the game tape. In general, Baker looked great outside of a few bad throws. You would like to see more than one score, although the one he did throw was a beauty over the middle:

Throw it up to @AustinHooper18!

📺: #CHIvsCLE on FOX
📲: Browns mobile app pic.twitter.com/0OIk6WSFfp

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 26, 2021

Running Back

Nick Chubb: 22 carries, 84 yards

Kareem Hunt: 10 carries, 81 yards, TD | 7 targets, 6 receptions, 74 yards

Demetric Felton: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards

As a team, the Browns put up 215 total rushing yards against the Bears tough front seven. We didn’t get to see the explosive touchdown run we have grown accustomed to with Nick Chubb, although his 22 carries was great to see. His backfield mate Kareem Hunt stole the show, registering over 150 total yards from scrimmage and a score. Both runners ran though today, but Kareem Hunt looked to be running with an extra edge in this matchup. If I had to pick a word to describe his running style, it would be violent.

ON THE HUNT!

📺: #CHIvsCLE on FOX
📲: Browns mobile app pic.twitter.com/s4JLp2ftc9

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 26, 2021

The Browns playcallers have continued the trend of getting both Chubb and Kareem involved throughout the entire game, and with the absence of Jarvis Landry, Demetric Felton looks to consistently have plays designed for him as well. As mentioned previously, Mayfield barely missed Felton on what would’ve been a big touchdown reception as he cooked Roquan Smith off the line of scrimmage.

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Odell Beckham Jr: 9 targets, 5 receptions, 77 yards

Donovan Peoples-Jones: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 39 yards

Rashard Higgins: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 24 yards

Austin Hooper: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 19 yards, TD

Harrison Bryant: 2 targets

Anthony Schwartz: 1 target

Exit Jarvis Landry, enter Odell Beckham Jr. He was held out of the endzone in what was otherwise a great day for OBJ in his first game back since week 7 of 2020. The Browns looked like they were force-feeding OBJ in 2020, but I think they finally figured it out. Outside of Austin Hooper’s grab in the middle of the endzone, Browns pass catchers were generally held in check in this matchup. When you have a backfield producing like Chubb and Hunt, though, you don’t really need a lot of production, you just need efficiency, and that’s exactly what this group is bringing to the table. OBJ looked healthy, moving in and out of his cuts with ease – otherwise, this group didn’t do much to write home about. In a run-first offense, there isn’t consistent enough volume for massive pass-catching numbers week-to-week. In the end, the offense did not look to miss a step without Jarvis in the lineup.

The Browns’ defense gets my stamp of approval on the day, registering nine sacks, eight tackles for loss, and seven pass breakups.