Bears @ Browns
Final Score: Bears 21, Browns 20
Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)
With the suspension of Deshaun Watson official, the Browns finally knew what their first-team offense was going to look like and for how long. The dress rehearsal probably didn’t go as the Browns had hoped, as Justin Fields looked unstoppable against the Browns defense in this Week Three preseason matchup between the Bears and the Browns.
Chicago Bears
| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |
Quarterback
Justin Fields: 14/16, 156 yards, 3 TD | 2 carries, 11 yards
Nathan Peterman: 2/4, 57 yards, Sack | 1 carry, -1 yards
Trevor Siemian: 5/8, 54 yards, Sack, Fumble (Lost) | 1 carry, 2 yards
Both Trevor Siemian and Nathan Peterman looked rough during their time on the field. Justin Fields looked like a force to be reckoned with. Fields looked extra comfortable outside of the pocket on his way to three passing touchdowns with only two incompletions, which I like to refer to as pulling off The Dawson (a nod to the late, great, Len Dawson) – or finishing a game with more touchdowns than incompletions. Overall, Fields looks like he is beginning to use his legs to create plays rather than bail himself out of bad situations:
Found 3 dimes in our pocket today 😏 pic.twitter.com/GZf3O1TRIV
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 28, 2022
Running Back
David Montgomery: 9 carries, 28 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards
Darrynton Evans: 4 carries, 18 yards | 1 target, 1 reception 14 yards
Khalil Herbert: 4 carries, 14 yards | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 25 yards
De’Montre Tuggle: 3 carries, 8 yards, Fumble (Lost)
Khari Blassingame: 1 target, 1 reception, 6 yards
Overall, the Bears’ running backs did not find a lot of space against the Browns’ front seven. The Bears’ offense utilized their running backs in the passing game, with six targets spread across the group on the day. Khalil Herbert was the second running back in the game and likely has the backup running back spot under control and should be a valuable handcuff this season. Darrynton Evans did the majority of his damage on the ground on an 11-yard scamper against lesser competition. David Montgomery ran hard throughout the day. While he didn’t gash the defense for any huge gains, he was not shying away from any contact as he ran strong all day:
David Montgomery angry run @KyleBrandt will like that – @adamamin pic.twitter.com/bYM5HMjciP
— Gustavo (@iamvega1982) August 27, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Isaiah Coulter: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 61 yards
Dante Pettis: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 37 yards, TD
Cole Kmet: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 36 yards, TD
Ryan Griffin: 1 target, 1 reception, 22 yards, TD
Kevin Shaa: 2 targets, 1 reception, 20 yards
Equanimeous St. Brown: 2 targets, 1 reception, 18 yards, Fumble
Nsimba Webster: 3 targets, 1 reception, 7 yards
Chris Finke: 2 targets, 1 reception, 7 yards
Darnell Mooney: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards
James O’Shaughnessy: 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards
With Justin Fields being on absolute fire during his time on the field, a lot of pass catchers got to prove their worth in this offense that is in dire need of a big-time playmaker. Cole Kmet brought in all of his targets and managed a score while on the field with the first-team offense and will surely be a part of this offense now that Jimmy Graham is gone. Dante Pettis may have found a new home after his tumultuous tenure in San Francisco, as he connected with Fields on a score as well. Ryan Griffin proved he is not afraid of contact as he brought in his lone target from Fields for a score between two defenders:
TE spike to get us on the board!
📺: #CHIvsCLE on FOX32 pic.twitter.com/2nZDzkbTpO
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 27, 2022
Cleveland Browns
| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |
Quarterback
Jacoby Brissett: 13/23 , 109 yards, INT
Joshua Dobbs: 11/20, 89 yards, TD | 1 carry, 1 yard
Josh Rosen: 4/6, 42 yards | 3 carries, 7 yards, TD
In my opinion, the Browns should’ve given Jacoby Brissett more snaps earlier in the preseason, cause he sure looked like he could’ve used them. The ball still had zip on it, but a lot of easy throws became hard catches due to accuracy issues from Brissett, as evident by his 56% completion rate. Josh Rosen was able to score during his time on the field, but you’d like to see that score coming through the air and not a scramble. The offense also failed to convert the two-point try to tie the game after the score. I doubt Rosen is in Cleveland for long. The guy I keep finding myself writing about is Joshua Dobbs, who simply manages to get it done. The accuracy wasn’t what you’d like, but he showed excellent touch on this touchdown toss to the back of the endzone:
IT'S MILLER TIME‼️ @mcforristall
📺: #CHIvsCLE on @WEWS
📲: Browns mobile app, NFL+ pic.twitter.com/iNj47eamtr— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 28, 2022
Running Back
John Kelly Jr: 13 carries, 31 yards | 4 targets, 2 receptions, 10 yards
D’Ernest Johnson: 7 carries, 29 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, -3 yards
Johnny Stanton IV: 3 carries, 6 yards | 1 target
Demetric Felton Jr.: 1 carry, 4 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 15 yards
In general, there was no room to run for Cleveland as they averaged less than three yards per carry against the Bears’ tough defense. D’Ernest Johnson started the game in the backfield and was the only guy able to find space regularly as he was able to eclipse over four yards per carry. John Kelly Jr. was below average with his touches. If you take away his long rush of nine yards, he otherwise averaged 1.7 yards per carry, although he was able to find a little space through the air. Demetric Felton will likely be more involved in the passing attack rather than the rushing game and showed why while bringing in both of his targets for 15 yards early in the game. As usual, the Browns continued to target their backfield throughout the game, with eight total targets going to the backfield.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Javon Wims: 9 targets, 4 receptions, 41 yards
Mike Harley Jr: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 38 yards, Fumble
David Bell: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 36 yards
David Njoku: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 34 yards
Ja’Marcus Bradley: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 26 yards
Harrison Bryant: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 15 yards
Miller Forristall: 6 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards, TD
Anthony Schwartz: 6 targets 1 reception, 8 yards
Donovan Peoples-Jones: 3 targets, 1 reception, 4 yards
Nakia Griffin-Stewart: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 3 yards, Fumble
Anthony Schwartz had another bad drop early in the game. While his roster spot isn’t in jeopardy, he better figure something out sooner rather than later if he wants to stay in the NFL. Harrison Bryant, David Njoku, and Donovan Peoples-Jones weren’t on the field for long as they exited with the rest of the starters. Njoku and Bryant were especially effective with their targets, and that trend continued among tight ends with Miller Forristall catching a score from Dobbs. David Bell continues to impress. Javon Wims showed exceptional concentration to bring in this jump ball from Rosen late in the game:
Just toss it 🆙 to @Javon_Juice
📺: #CHIvsCLE on @WEWS
📲: Browns mobile app, NFL+ pic.twitter.com/J3dn8WPOrZ— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 28, 2022
Thanks for reading!