Did the Browns hit rock bottom in Week 1?

Wendi Oliveros

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Did the Browns hit rock bottom in Week 1? image

The Cleveland Browns opened the season against the Dallas Cowboys in the worst possible way with a 33-17 loss.  Nothing went well for the Browns who must seriously regroup before taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2.

Here is a list of the problems.

1. Quarterback. Deshaun Watson was on the ground more often than he should have been, and he threw two interceptions.  The Cowboys had 6 sacks and 22 pressures on him.  He is coming off of season-ending shoulder surgery. With an injured offensive line especially on his blind side, his protection against Micah Parsons and the Dallas defense was not great.   He looked rusty at best.  

2. Injuries.  David Njoku and Jerry Jeudy were banged up in the game. Though the significance of these injuries is yet to be known, they are two important offensive playmakers.

3. Defense. The Browns' defense was ineffective at stopping the run and passing games of the Cowboys.  Denzel Ward had his fingertips on a few potential momentum-changing interceptions but could not pull them in. The Cowboys schemed well to keep Myles Garrett from dominating the line of scrimmage.

4. Special teams. Corey Bojorquez continued to punt the ball at Cowboys returner KaVontae Turpin who had a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown.  

Week 1 does not a season make.  The Browns have a talented roster, but they have a lot of work to do before Week 2 in Jacksonville.

 

Wendi Oliveros

Wendi Oliveros Photo

Wendi Oliveros is an avid sports fan who has reported on NFL, MLB, and professional tennis throughout her career. She lives in PA but is not a Steelers or Eagles fan. She is a lifelong Baltimore Orioles fan, and her favorite tennis tournament is the US Open, which she has been privileged to attend a few times.