Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns: Grades from the disheartening loss to the Giants

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:30 a.m. ET

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Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns continued their losing ways on Sunday, falling 27-13 to the Giants. How did each major position group perform in the defeat?

Can the Cleveland Browns win a single game? It is a legitimate question, given the fact that the team has been competitive in almost every contest. Somehow, the team finds ways to lose every week. Literally, every week.

At 0-12, losers of 15 straight, the Browns have just four more opportunities. Two of these games come at home against teams with losing records.

So maybe there is hope. But before the Browns can move forward, they need to understand what went wrong in this week’s miserable performance.

With a bye week ahead, the team will have plenty of time to be encouraged by a strong defensive showing and be incredibly discouraged by their incompetence on offense.

Pinpointing the areas which contributed to this stagnation on offense is the first step to reversing the trend. This week’s grades are once again disappointing, but very revealing as to the root of the team’s issues.

As hard as it may be to analyze yet another loss during an 0-12 season, the purpose of this analysis is to do just that. Grades from this game are based on this week’s outings from each position group. No additional factors are taken into account.

Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback: F

It was not a day to remember for Josh McCown. In fact, the only positive may be that he made it through the entire game despite being hit 25 times.

As hard as it is to criticize the 37-year-old, he had one of his worst games in a Cleveland uniform. Missing throw after throw to all different receivers, McCown didn’t help his own cause.

In the end, the numbers were decent. McCown completed 25 of 43 passes for 322 yards and a touchdown.

But accuracy and mobility were two liabilities. McCown was missing receivers all afternoon, failing to put the ball on them when they were in good position. He was also stationary in the pocket, making it easier for the Giants pass rush to zero in on their target. Plus, the inability to feel the rush coming led to two fumbles, one which was returned for a touchdown.

It would be unfair to pin all of the struggles on the Browns’ quarterback. However, it would be inaccurate to ignore McCown’s poor performance. The tragic reality is, Cleveland’s quarterback play did not put them in position to win the game. For a professional like McCown, that itself constitutes a failure.

Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs: D

It was clear that the Browns were making a concerted effort to get their running game more involved this week. This ought to be recognized. But in the end, it wasn’t nearly effective enough, and the running backs did not help the team’s cause.

It was an improvement, as the team rushed for a total of 58 yards this week, as opposed to just 20 last week. However, it wasn’t a vast improvement, as Cleveland more than doubled their rush attempts this week.

Isaiah Crowell led the way with 44 rushing yards on 16 carries, and Duke Johnson followed close behind with 14 yards on five carries. But Crowell’s fumble which led to the first touchdown of the game was a catastrophic play in an otherwise well-played first half for the Browns.

While little offense was manufactured on the ground, the running backs were a threat through the air. Passing underneath, especially late in the game, was an effective way of stat-padding for Johnson and Crowell. In the end, Crowell caught six passes for 47 yards and Johnson caught three for 26. The screen passes and check downs to running backs are passing plays the Browns should work toward implementing into their offense earlier in the game in coming weeks.

Overall, the running backs did not have their worst game, even showing some patience on the ground. But Cleveland cannot expect to run for just 58 yards and win the game.

Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (11) runs the ball against the New York Giants during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Giants won 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receivers: D

Through the air, the Browns had no choice but to be competent. After all, they had no production beyond their passing attack.

But the 322 yards gained through the air doesn’t result in an automatic success. The inability to make plays in the passing game when most needed as well as the inability to block made playing the wide receiver position difficult for the Browns on Sunday.

Terrelle Pryor led the way with 131 yards on six receptions. As he proved on Sunday, Pryor is without a doubt more than a normal receiver.

But besides Pryor, only two other receivers even had receptions. Rookie Corey Coleman hauled in the only touchdown on the afternoon, one of his three receptions which totaled 38 yards. Fellow rookie Rashard Higgins also got in on the action, catching two passes for 34 yards.

Of course, other players besides the receivers made contributions in the passing game. Still, the fact that only three receivers had receptions in 43 pass attempts is revealing. Balance is an issue for the Browns, and their lack of weapons is beginning to really catch up to them.

Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas (73) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Line: F

As ugly as Sunday’s contest turned out to be, the ugliest aspect of the defeat was once again the play of the offensive line. For the twelfth consecutive week, the inability to provide running lanes for the running backs as well as the failure to protect the quarterback proved costly.

This week, the numbers weren’t as bad, but they can be deceiving. McCown was sacked seven times, costing the Browns 37 yards of real estate. But even more revealing, the 37-year-old was hit 25 times, on more than half of his dropbacks.

In the running game, the Browns’ running backs almost tripled their total yardage from last week. However, they still averaged under three yards per carry. Even the small creases which did open up were more a result of holes in the Giants’ defense. By no means was the offensive line ever controlling the line of scrimmage at any point.

Of course, the injury to John Greco interfered with the offensive rhythm. His replacement, Alvin Bailey, was responsible outright for two of McCown’s sacks, including the fumble returned for a touchdown by Jason Pierre-Paul, a defining moment.

The Browns are never going to get anywhere offensively until their line is solidified. This starts with coaching, but ends up being the responsibility of the linemen themselves. Until this poor play is turned around, the offense will be nothing short of inept.

Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Giants strong safety Landon Collins (21) just misses an interception on a ball intended for Cleveland Browns tight end Seth DeValve (87) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Tight Ends: C

It was not an overly productive afternoon for Cleveland tight ends, even if they weren’t a significant liability. Through the air, Gary Barnidge caught only one pass for 11 yards, a disappointing afternoon.

Knowing Barnidge’s normal connection with McCown, fans would have expected the two to find more of a rhythm. Unfortunately, a combination of solid defense, poor route running, and poorly thrown balls prevented this from happening.

Seth DeValve was the other tight end who spent a substantial portion of time on the field. DeValve’s three receptions which went for 39 yards all came at the end of the game when the Giants were in a prevent defense. His blocking though was not horrible throughout the game.

In an offense which likes to use two tight end formations, the way this position group performs is critical to the team’s success. Once again this week, the tight ends did not play the role they should have. Moving forward, incorporating tight ends into the game plan on offense would be a good idea if the Browns want to continue with their offensive scheme.

Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line: B

Surprisingly, there was a positive element of Sunday’s game. Defensively, the Browns impressed, as their valiant efforts kept the team in the game for most of its duration. This started with the defensive line, who held the Giants to 104 rushing yards and forced Eli Manning to throw the ball more quickly than he would have wanted to on numerous occasions.

In fact, the defensive line was so solid all around that Carl Nassib, Danny Shelton, Corey Lemonier, and Jamie Meder each ought to be commended. Each disrupted the passing game, and ended up with multiple tackles.

Most of all, there is something to be said for a unit who can get off of the field when they need to. In past weeks, third downs have been a big problem for the Browns. Getting off the field has been quite a challenge. This week, all of this changed.

While there is no real stat which can define the ability to get off the field when needed, the Browns had what it took today. Their defense buckled down when they needed to, all starting with the front three.

Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Jamie Collins (51) tackles New York Giants running back Paul Perkins (28) during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers: C

The play of the linebackers was also encouraging on Sunday, as they were similar to the defensive line in many ways. Rushing the passer and stopping the run game were their biggest strengths, but they struggled immensely in pass coverage.

Christian Kirksey and Jamie Collins led the way with 19 combined tackles, coming mostly against the run game. Attacking Manning was another way this unit left their imprint on the game, as Emmanuel Ogbah relentlessly pursued the quarterback.

While they never made a spectacular play, the linebackers, much like the defense as a whole, held their own. They did struggle in pass coverage, as the Giants’ speedy receivers gave them fits as expected. But the problem with the linebackers was more the way they were used rather than the way they actually played.

In the end, this performance is one to build on for this group. They proved that they can indeed stop the run, and that rushing the passer is only a matter of getting the coaching staff’s consent to do so.

Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Secondary: B

Even more so than the quarterback position, defending against the pass has been Cleveland’s biggest weakness this season. Surprisingly, this was not the case on Sunday against the Giants.

In total, the Giants were held to 194 passing yards on 15 catches. Speedy targets such as Victor Cruz and Sterling Shepard were held in check, though Odell Beckham did have an outstanding game.

The secondary is to be commended as a whole, but special recognition should be given to Briean Boddy-Calhoun, who defended Cruz very well. Cleveland safeties Ed Reynolds and Jamar Taylor also had very good games, making several tackles and giving help over the top against a potent passing attack. Joe Haden had a rocky performance, but played well against Beckham given the circumstances.

Once again, the issue with the Browns’ secondary was more the approach than the actual play. Cleveland defenders gave Giants receivers much too large of a cushion. What they should have done was jam the speedsters at the line of scrimmage, frustrating them and throwing them off balance.

Instead, the Browns were forced to run with them, which will never work out. It worked out about as well as it could have, which still wasn’t nearly well enough. The secondary deserves credit for their efforts, but the scheme is clearly flawed.

Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) gets tackled by New York Giants outside linebacker B.J. Goodson (93) during a punt return during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams: F

It is easier to complement the Giants’ special teams play this week than to criticize Cleveland’s. Still, there is ample reason to do some of both.

Brad Wing, New York’s punter, may have been the MVP of the game. Keeping the Browns in field position jail all afternoon, the Giants eventually benefited greatly from this.

But as good as the Giants were on special teams, Cleveland was equally horrendous. Misplaying punts on three separate occasions, Duke Johnson cost the Browns chunks of yardage in the return game. Even without these blunders taken into account, Johnson returned three punts for a total of just five yards.

Kickoff returns didn’t serve the Browns any better, as neither attempt made by Ricardo Louis reached the 25-yard-line.

The Browns actually had the edge in time of possession, but not in field position. Their constant poor starting field position came back to haunt them in the end, as it eventually swayed New York’s direction. This stemmed from a non-existent punt return game.

Nov 27, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson during the second half against the New York Giants at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Giants won 27-13. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Coaching: F

This week was a little bit of a different week for the Browns, as they actually didn’t surrender a touchdown on the opening drive. As the first half progressed, it appeared that the team had come to play.

The coaching staff had the Browns ready to play, which is commendable. But once again, a failure to adjust cost the team, a responsibility of the coaches.

Browns’ coaches need to start helping their players out. When the Giants began rushing the passer in the second half, the offensive line didn’t adjust. They once again allowed a free rusher to come in untouched, delivering blow after blow to McCown as he released the ball.

Balance was once again a problem, though not as much as it has been in past weeks. 44 plays were passing plays, while just 21 were designed runs. Eventually, this got predictable, and the formations didn’t help.

On running plays, the Browns showed 12 personnel fairly consistently. On play action, 11 personnel. In the shotgun formation, it’s an automatic throw. This is the type of predictability with plagues the Browns week after week. And until the coaching staff makes adjustments during the game, the players can’t do anything about it.

Not only this, but given the fact that the Browns dominated many aspects of the game and failed to convert in the red zone does reflect negatively on the coaching staff. They had the edge in first downs, time of possession, total yards, and penalties, but turnovers made the difference.

The inability to overcome one element of the game despite all others going in Cleveland’s direction is another indication of a coaching staff which fails to make adequate adjustments.

For fans, seeing Hue Jackson smile at the end of the game as if nothing happened is sickening. Given the fact that he has done nothing to make the most of the potential on the roster he has, the fact that many fans still regard him as the coach of the future is puzzling.

Hopefully, Jackson is around for a long time. But beyond reputation, there’s nothing to show improvement thus far. And until the Browns win, there won’t be.