Browns success isn’t sustainable if one stat doesn’t change quick
Cleveland Browns have a winning record at 4-3 but it is not sustainable if one stat continues. The Browns lead the NFL with 17 turnovers on the season, which is one more than the 16 that the Kansas City Chiefs have. Cleveland has thrown 11 interceptions and lost six fumbles. "Turnovers are costly and that's […]
Cleveland Browns have a winning record at 4-3 but it is not sustainable if one stat continues.
The Browns lead the NFL with 17 turnovers on the season, which is one more than the 16 that the Kansas City Chiefs have. Cleveland has thrown 11 interceptions and lost six fumbles.
"Turnovers are costly and that's frustrating,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday. We lead the league in giveaways right now with 17. It's hard to win when you turn the ball over. So we really have to commit ourselves as an offense not to give that thing away."
The majority of the problem is poor quarterback play. Deshaun Watson played three games before he suffered a rotator cuff injury that has had him sidelined since Week 4 outside of a brief return against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7.
In the Week 4 loss to the Ravens, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw three interceptions. In three games played since backup P.J. Walker has thrown six interceptions to just one touchdown. Watson has three interceptions and a pair of lost fumbles.
This equals 17 extra possessions that the Browns are gifting their opponents. The defense has bailed them out time and time again but it is not sustainable, even if you have a good defense. It’s unfair to ask your defense to be out there that many extra times.
Cleveland has 10 takeaways and is 31st in the NFL in turnover differential at -7. It’s a recipe for disaster.
If the Browns want to get on track with the offense the first step is to limit the turnovers. Taking care of the ball is crucial going forward for Cleveland.
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