Browns biggest need at midway point could make or break the 2023 season

The Cleveland Browns are 5-3 on the season despite having just two games of acceptable quarterback play. One of those came this past week against the Arizona Cardinals. Deshaun Watson tossed a pair of touchdowns, didn’t turn the ball over, and finished 19-of-30. It wasn’t a stellar game but it was at least acceptable. The […]

Brandon Little — Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns News Writer

Nov 7, 2023 7:00 AM EST

The Cleveland Browns are 5-3 on the season despite having just two games of acceptable quarterback play.

One of those came this past week against the Arizona Cardinals. Deshaun Watson tossed a pair of touchdowns, didn’t turn the ball over, and finished 19-of-30. It wasn’t a stellar game but it was at least acceptable. The other game was back in Week 3 against the Titans — despite the win and Watson playing well — it was that game that has had an effect on the season so far.

Watson suffered the shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined outside two series against the Colts in Week 7. As mentioned, Watson returned and looked solid on Sunday. That’s what the Browns need and it just happens to be their biggest need the rest of the way, acceptable quarterback play.

Cleveland had to play P.J. Walker for three games and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson for another, in those four games there wasn’t good quarterback play. It was not even acceptable. Any time you turn the ball over two or three times, you’re gifting the other team points. Cleveland managed to win a majority of those games but that’s not always going to happen. You’ll see it cost you, like it did against the Seahawks a couple of weeks ago.

The 2023 season was always going to rely heavily on Watson at least translating some of the success he had in Houston. Cleveland doesn’t need him to be a top-5 quarterback, they do need him to be a top-12 guy. For the majority of his season, the team hasn’t had top-20 quarterback play and it’s handicapped them. If the Browns didn’t have an elite defense, you’re looking at a two to three-win team at most.

Watson isn’t fully healthy yet but managed to push the ball downfield in Week 9 and really make some of the best throws he has made in Cleveland. Going forward it’s just what the Browns need. If the offensive line can keep him clean and he doesn’t take bad sacks, it’s only going to heal him even more.

Coming up for the Browns is a pair of games against AFC North opponents. Cleveland needs to step up and win both, but they’ll absolutely have to win one at least. It will take solid quarterback play to get it done, which is why Cleveland traded for Watson in the first place.

If the need of receiving better quarterback play is fulfilled, the Browns will be playing in the postseason and have a chance at a run with a top-of-the-line defense.