In this “Need to Know” series, I will go over the various aspects of each Browns game this season! Let’s talk about the Browns beating the Steelers, 29-17! Got lots for you below! Let’s begin:
1. QB Jacoby Brissett is Actually Filling The Starting Role Nicely
Brissett went 21/31 (67.7%), with two touchdowns and no interceptions. While he is a somewhat conservative quarterback, he did enough to give the Browns a victory.
2. RB Nick Chubb is Absolutely Amazing
On 23 rushes, Chubb had 113 yards (4.9 average), one touchdown and a long of 36 yards. He pounds the ball and wears down the opposing defense in the best of ways. Then, you add in RB Kareem Hunt and it’s a better 1-2 punch than Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed. Okay, maybe not that far…BUT YOU GET MY POINT!!!
3. I feel so bad for LB Anthony Walker – Out for Season:
Bad news: An MRI today on Browns LB Anthony Walker revealed that he tore his quad tendon and he now will require season-ending surgery. It’s considered to be a 5-to-7 month injury. That report was from Adam Schefter. Additionally, Steelers Chukwuma Okorafor fell on Walker while he was on the ground in pain. Absolute cheap shot!
4. WR Amari Cooper & TE David Njoku Are Clearly Brissett’s Main Targets
Cooper had seven catches (11 targets) for 101 yards and a touchdown. Njoku had nine catches (10 targets) for 89 yards and a touchdown, too. These two appear to be the pass-catchers that Brissett loves to target. They were terrific in the win. Let’s hope that continues in the Falcons game and beyond!
5. Great Job Not Blowing This One
Sorry for reminding you all about the New York Jets collapse. This week, the Browns were up 23-14 and finished the game on top. VICTORY!!
6. CB Denzel Ward Has a Nice Stat
The last play of the game, the Steelers were down six and had a little “schoolyard bullshit” play to try and have a miracle win going all the way down the field. After a bunch of laterals, the ball bounced backward in the endzone. Ward recovered it for a touchdown to end the game. That’ll look pretty cool on the stat sheet even though it was essentially a meaningless touchdown with the score the way that it was…
7. HC Kevin Stefanski Did THIS:
Including interims, Stefanski is the first Browns coach out of the 12 since 1999 to beat the Steelers three times (including playoffs). I guess in some ways that’s a sad stat, but it’s also great.
8. Star DE Myles Garrett Was Quiet, DE Jadeveon Clowney Matters
Garrett, the anchor of the defense only had two assisted tackles, no sacks and didn’t make much of an impact. Quite unlike him. Fellow DE Jadeveon Clowney was out for the game (right ankle) and this was clearly a huge factor in Garrett’s production.
9. Let’s Be Better on Third Down
The Browns went 6/16 on third down and it would help if the team could be more efficient. If it makes you feel better, the Steelers went 1/9 on third-down…yikes.
10. Great Win, Work to Be Done
It was a great win by the Browns to beat the rival Steelers. Obviously, there’s a lot of work to be done moving forward and the team has extended time to do so before the Falcons game Week 4.
