Browns @ Dolphins
Final Score: Dolphins 39, Browns 17
Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)
The game started off rather competitive, but the writing on the wall became clearer and clearer as the game progressed. The Browns’ defense continues to underperform, while the Dolphins’ offense continues to be a juggernaut. The Browns get embattled quarterback Deshaun Watson back next week, but it may be too little, too late as they fall to 3-6 on the season and tied for last in their division. The Dolphins, on the other hand, improve to 7-3 as they continually put up incredible efficiency numbers on offense.
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Jacoby Brissett: 22/35, 212 Yards, TD, 3 Sacks | 7 Carries, 40 Yards
Jacoby Brissett has been a journeyman his entire career, and this game is one of the prime examples of “why.” Sub-65% completion rate, multiple sacks taken, barely over six yards per completion. It’s not bad by any means, as he did put a touchdown on the board early on a short pass to his tight end, but the Browns simply couldn’t keep up with the Dolphins’ offense while Brissett is under center. His receivers were not doing him many favors, as they seemed to be incapable of getting separation off the line of scrimmage. In the end, this loss doesn’t go on Brissett’s shoulders. He looked great at times, and made some nutty throws:
threading the needle on 3rd & long 😱🪡
📺: #CLEvsMIA on CBS pic.twitter.com/KWKSJ1ozbR
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 13, 2022
Running Back
Nick Chubb: 11 Carries, 63 Yards, TD | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 18 Yards | 1 Fumble (Lost)
Kareem Hunt: 6 Carries, 9 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 10 Yards
D’Ernest Johnson: 1 Target, 1 Reception, -2 Yards
The game script did not allow the Browns to lean on their run game for about the final three quarters of this matchup. D’Ernest Johnson saw a garbage-time target and failed to do anything with it. Kareem Hunt simply doesn’t look like himself right now. Kareem is a running back that gets better as the game goes on – he needs to get in a rhythm while beating the defense down over four quarters. Unfortunately, as we mentioned, the game script scripted Kareem right out of this game. The Browns only afforded their running backs a total of 17 carries which is never a recipe for success. Nick Chubb did his best on 15 touches but suffered a costly fumble before halftime that could’ve shifted the entire landscape of the game. He came through for an incredible rushing score late in the contest to salvage what was otherwise an ugly game:
bouncing off defenders left and right 😯
📺: #CLEvsMIA on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/1Z85Av4H8R— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 13, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Donovan Peoples-Jones: 9 Targets, 5 Receptions, 99 Yards
Amari Cooper: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 32 Yards
David Bell: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 24 Yards
Harrison Bryant: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 15 Yards, TD
Pharaoh Brown: 5 Targets, 2 Receptions, 13 Yards
Anthony Schwartz: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 3 Yards
Michael Woods II: 1 Target
Another away game, another dud for Amari Cooper. Through nine contests, Cooper averages the following splits: Away: 2.5 receptions for 33 yards and zero touchdowns. Home: 6.4 receptions for 90 yards and a score. At this point, the splits are undeniable, but they might change once Watson is under center. David Bell drew five targets, bringing in three for 24 yards while being the clear-cut third wideout on the depth chart.
Harrison Bryant did the majority of his damage early, bringing in a one-yard pass for a score in the first quarter. Pharaoh Brown was targeted five times but failed to do much of anything with them as he brought in only two balls. One thing to note is the tight end position was targeted eight times, which is a good sign for when Njoku returns. Anthony Schwartz and Michael Woods II were mostly an afterthought. The highlight of this group is Donovan Peoples-Jones, who stepped up while Amari Cooper played Houdini. Targeted nine times and bringing in five for 99 yards, “DPJ” seems to be hitting his stride in this offense. He has the frame to succeed over the middle, and the speed to beat coverage over the top like this:
Brissett bomb on the first play of the game!
📺: #CLEvsMIA on CBS pic.twitter.com/IStrKGcI1g
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) November 13, 2022
DPJ also contributed a big block to spring Nick Chubb on his fourth-quarter score!
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa: 25/32, 285 Yards, 3 TD | 1 Carry, 1 Fumble (Recovered)
Skylar Thompson: 1/1, 17 Yards | 3 Carries
Since returning from some devastating injuries suffered in back-to-back weeks earlier this season, Tua Tagovailoa is on an absolute tear. The Dolphins’ offense is designed perfectly to complement Tua’s strengths, and that was on display all game. The Dolphins kept Tua upright all game as he spread the ball around, taking zero sacks while completing just under 80% of his pass attempts and throwing three touchdowns to three different receivers. As I mentioned before, this offense is incredibly efficient – they didn’t even punt today. Tua’s decision-making and accuracy have developed at an astonishing rate, and it’s going to be a lot of fun watching his career progress.
Perfect placement from @Tua to Trent Sherfield! @Channel__10
📺: #CLEvsMIA on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/69z8ixgEIW pic.twitter.com/FHPOJ3zbEy— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2022
Running Back
Jeff Wilson Jr.: 17 Carries, 119 Yards, TD | 5 Targets, 2 Receptions, 24 Yards
Raheem Mostert: 8 Carries, 65 Yards, TD | 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 22 Yards
Alec Ingold: 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 45 Yards, TD
Salvon Ahmed: 3 Carries, 11 Yards
Alec Ingold brought in a 13-yard score in the first quarter to tie the game early and was involved a few more times out of the backfield. He brought in all four of his targets for 45 yards in addition to the early score. I wouldn’t expect this level of involvement in every game. Jeff Wilson Jr. had another stellar performance since being traded to the Dolphins, converting 17 carries into 119 yards and a score to go along with a couple more receptions for an additional 24 yards. Wilson looked to be the primary running back in this matchup. Backfield partner Raheem Mostert saw nearly half of the touches as Wilson, but still managed to put up 87 total yards and a score himself, including this 24-yard nail in the coffin that put the game out of reach:
CAN'T STOP HEEM‼️🏎 @RMos_8Ball
📺: Watch #CLEvsMIA on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/JBRanjdkxj
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) November 13, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Jaylen Waddle: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 66 Yards
Trent Sherfield: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 63 Yards, TD
Tyreek Hill: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 44 Yards, TD
Mike Gesicki: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 31 Yards
Cedrick Wilson Jr.: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 7 Yards | Sack
Tua did an excellent job spreading the ball out, with all three of his primary receivers getting at least five targets. All three of them held their end of the bargain, only letting three of those targets hit the dirt. Jaylen Waddle brought in four balls for 66 yards but was held out of the endzone. Trent Sherfield brought in a 14-yard catch for a score in the first half and chipped in a few more receptions throughout the game. Mike Gesicki was targeted three times while being the fourth option at best in the passing game. The one they called “Cheetah” was held mostly in check, and the Dolphins didn’t really need him to do much of anything. Tyreek Hill still did his damage as he brought in this dart over the middle close to the fourth quarter:
Another TD for the NFL's leading receiver @Cheetah
📺: #CLEvsMIA on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/69z8ixgEIW pic.twitter.com/eRB5AyQ1gJ— NFL (@NFL) November 13, 2022
Thank you as always for reading, and we will see you next week!