Browns @ Falcons
Final Score: Falcons 23, Browns 20
Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)
Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Dave Ragone probably slept a little easier Saturday night after it was announced Browns defensive end Myles Garrett will be sitting out this one as he recovers from a car wreck. The Falcons’ rushing game certainly benefited from the many absences across the Browns’ defense as they dominated the second half of the game on the ground which ended up being the difference maker. A youth movement at running back might be happening in Atlanta, just as the Browns’ hopes might be sinking after falling to 2-2.
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback
Jacoby Brissett: 21/35, 234 Yards, INT, Sack | 5 Carries, 16 Yards, TD
With a pedestrian 60% completion rate and zero passing scores, you need more efficiency out of your signal caller if you want to win games on a regular basis. While Jacoby Brissett wasn’t bad, he definitely wasn’t good either. There were several deep passes that weren’t even close, as well as some shorter passes that were very underthrown. Even completing three more passes would’ve impacted the outcome of this game. It looked like Jacoby was trying to play hero-ball at times, as he hung onto the ball for a very, very long time. Occasionally he does stuff like this, though:
7 had 'em stumbling
📺: #CLEvsATL on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/iJqdyvFpsl pic.twitter.com/61KhLoBtPH— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 2, 2022
Running Back
Nick Chubb: 19 Carries, 118 Yards, TD | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 9 Yards
Kareem Hunt: 10 Carries, 49 Yards | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 19 Yards
The Browns running game continued to do what it has done all season, which is dominate. With 35 designed touches to the position group, they will continue to have value as the Browns lean on them to keep the ball moving. Kareem Hunt was a little more effective through the air, as is tradition, but outside of a single 20-yard run, the Falcons kept him in check. The only target Hunt didn’t bring in was a dud from Brissett. Nick Chubb, on the other hand, continues to be an absolute menace out of the backfield. He has to be one of, if not the hardest running back to tackle in the NFL and will continue to be featured in this offense. His burst through the line of scrimmage is jaw-dropping:
Nicholas Chubb. All that needs to be said.
📺: #CLEvsATL on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/iJqdyvFpsl pic.twitter.com/TEsh72DRcT— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 2, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
David Njoku: 1 Carry, -6 Yards | 7 Targets, 5 Receptions, 73 Yards | 1 Fumble (Lost)
Donovan Peoples-Jones: 9 Targets, 5 Receptions, 71 Yards
David Bell: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 35 Yards
Harrison Bryant: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 18 Yards
Amari Cooper: 4 Targets, 1 Reception, 9 Yards
The tight end group of David Njoku and Harrison Bryant continue to be involved, with 13 total targets among the two of them. Njoku seems to be developing into a weapon in this offense with each week as the offense finds ways to get the ball in his hands, including an ill-fated end-around that went nowhere. After a tremendous Week 3 against the Steelers, Amari Cooper was very quiet on the day, turning four targets into a single reception for nine yards. It looks like Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones are rotating each week as to which receiver is going to get targeted more. After only three targets and a single reception last week, DPJ was the most targeted pass-catcher for Cleveland and continues to solidify his spot as the number two wideout on the depth chart. Most of his damage came on this go-route where he just barely fell short of a score:
1 yard to go? no thanks, imma throw a bomb 🤷♂️
📺: #CLEvsATL on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/iJqdyvFpsl pic.twitter.com/eu0jlFmhJJ— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) October 2, 2022
Atlanta Falcons
Quarterback
Marcus Mariota: 7/19, 139 Yards, INT, Sack | 5 Carries, 3 Yards, 1 Fumble (Recovered)
I wish I had more to write here but, to be brief, this was an awful game for Marcus Mariota. He was as inefficient as they come and was carried by the run game all day. Even though they won, Mariota will need to do a better job if he wants to keep his starting gig secured.
Marcus Mariota : 7/19 for 139 yards, 1 INT & a 41.4 QB Rating (Completed 2 of his last 9 passes to finish the game) pic.twitter.com/mkahDnL46l
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) October 2, 2022
Running Back
Tyler Allgeier: 10 Carries, 84 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 20 Yards
Caleb Huntley: 10 Carries, 56 Yards, TD
Cordarrelle Patterson: 9 Carries, 38 Yards, TD
The only group to outshine the Browns’ rushing attack in this matchup was the rushing attack of the Falcons. Late in the game, the Falcons relied heavily on their run game to take the lead and drain the clock, and this group delivered. Caleb Huntley dominated a drive in the third quarter, leading the Falcons on a 10-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in him plunging in a score to take the lead. Tyler Allgeier wasn’t going to be outdone as he took one 42-yards to set up a game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter. And who can forget to sprinkle in a little Cordarrelle Patterson, who now has 13 touchdowns over the last 19 games since coming to Atlanta:
CP84 takes it all the way.
📺: CBS || NFL+ #CLEvsATL || #DirtyBirds pic.twitter.com/IaufJxxwVm
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 2, 2022
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Olamide Zaccheaus: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 55 Yards
Kyle Pitts: 4 Targets, 1 Reception, 25 Yards
Parker Hesse: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 22 Yards
Drake London: 7 Targets, 2 Receptions, 17 Yards
Keith Smith: 1 Target
Damiere Byrd: 1 Target
KhaDarel Hodge: 1 Target
With the struggles of Mariota being what they were, there was not a lot of opportunity for this group to shine. Drake London was the focal point of the offense, and also the defense, as he was targeted seven times, but only managed to secure two for 17 yards as the Browns defense was draped all over him all game. Kyle Pitts was held quiet for another week as his fantasy managers continue to question everything. Mariota didn’t do him any favors with his targets, but you expect more from a guy as talented as Pitts. The majority of the passing yardage came from this single play in the fourth quarter, where Olamide Zaccheaus exploited poor coverage to gash the defense for 42 yards which eventually lead to a game-winning field goal for the Falcons:
That is how you move down the field!
📺: CBS || NFL+ #CLEvsATL || #DirtyBirds pic.twitter.com/d1Z6Hz24Bz
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 2, 2022
Another week, another occasion I question why I am a Browns fan. Thanks for reading, and see you next week!