Holy crap, the Browns offense is awful. If you didn't know we're playing football, you might say the Indians are playing the Mariners with a measly score like 3-0. The good thing is that the Browns are on top, right?
Yeah, I guess so. But take a look at the stats and...well at least on the offensive side of the ball there just isn't much to see. Colt McCoy has not looked good at all today. His decision making has not come quick enough, and I'm pretty sure there was at least one time where he didn't read a blitz and almost got himself killed before scrambling out of the pocket for a few positive yards. He's 9/18 for 87 yards, but maybe 10-15 of those came on the stupid pass to end the half to new running back Chris Ogbonnaya. But McCoy has got to be more accurate and on point with his throws. There was one third down play early in the game where TE Ben Watson was wide open and McCoy missed him high. That can't happen at this stage of the game.
At least "stone hands" Hardesty came to play a little bit—he caught a nice third down pass for a first down. But he hasn't had much running room as he's gotten just 43 yards on 15 carries—a paltry 2.9 yards per carry.
Defensively, the Browns have played very well, and that's probably been aided by the fact that Marshawn Lynch injured his back in pregame warmups and was thus scratched from the game. Despite their bye week, Seattle came out looking very sloppy and has aided the Browns with their five penalties for 35 yards. That said, the Browns do have three sacks—one each from Chris Gocong and TJ Ward (who also created a fumble with his) and Athyba Rubin combined with Jabaal Sheard for one. The Browns have also gotten to Whitehurst for four other QB hits, a stat I appreciate because it shows we're getting at least some kind of pass rush.
But all that defense won't matter unless the Browns can find a way to score some more points. 3-0 is just not a score that wins a football game—I don't care how bad the teams are. And this Seahawks team really isn't as bad as they showed in the first half.
The Browns get the ball first in the second half, and it's very important that we go right down the field and score. This first drive is really going to be a statement for how the rest of the game is going to go. If the Seahawks force a 3-and-out, look for them to go right down the field and take command of this game.
Honestly, I don't see the Browns winning this one. Pat Shurmur has got some real scheme problems with the right side of the offensive line. They're getting completely overwhelmed and I don't know if he can correct them at halftime.
Hopefully, I'll be wrong. But even if I am, I'm going to have a lot to complain about after this game...
See you then,
~MAS
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