The Cleveland Browns experienced another all-too-familiar Sunday afternoon.
Facing the 0-2 New York Giants at home, Cleveland was hoping to gain some momentum before heading into a tough three-week road trip, but once again, they fell short.
This marks the Browns’ second home loss in as many games, and their difficulties winning on the road are becoming a growing concern.
As tough as it may be, let’s break down the game to see if any players earned a Brownie, though many will likely be receiving a Frownie.
### BROWNIES
**First Offensive Series:**
For the second consecutive game, the Browns scored on their opening drive. This time, it only took one play—quarterback Deshaun Watson connected with Amari Cooper for a 24-yard touchdown. It was the first time Cleveland scored a touchdown on their opening play since 2005 against the Miami Dolphins.
**Second-Half Defense:**
After a rough first half, where New York’s Daniel Jones went 17-of-19 for 178 yards and two touchdowns, the Browns’ defense stepped up in the second half. They shut out the Giants, forcing five punts, recovering a fumble, and watching the Giants miss a field goal. In total, Cleveland allowed just 63 yards in the second half.
**Amari Cooper’s Return:**
Amari Cooper was in top form, snagging seven receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns, providing a much-needed spark for Cleveland’s offense.
### FROWNIES
**Offense After the First Drive:**
Despite starting strong, Cleveland’s offense faltered after their opening touchdown. On the next eight drives, they struggled to gain momentum, punting six times, missing a field goal, and losing a fumble by quarterback Deshaun Watson.
**Fourth Quarter Offensive Struggles:**
Even with a chance to win, Cleveland’s offense fell flat in the final quarter. After scoring a touchdown and converting the two-point attempt, the Browns had three more drives with an opportunity to take the lead. One ended in a fumble by running back Jerome Ford, and the other two resulted in turnovers on downs after just four plays each.
**Martin Emerson in Pass Coverage:**
Cleveland cornerback Martin Emerson had a tough time in the first half, being outplayed by New York rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers. While the defense improved in the second half with Denzel Ward covering Nabers more frequently, it was a challenging game for Emerson.
**Wide Receivers Not Named Amari Cooper:**
Cleveland’s other wide receivers struggled to make an impact. Jerry Jeudy, Elijah Moore, and Cedric Tillman combined for just seven receptions and 48 yards. Tillman capped off a frustrating day by dropping a crucial fourth-down pass that could have extended Cleveland’s final offensive drive
**Pass Protection Woes:**
Cleveland’s offensive line had a rough day, allowing Deshaun Watson to be sacked eight times. The injuries piled up, with right guard Wyatt Teller, left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., right tackle Dawand Jones, and backup tackle James Hudson III all dealing with various injuries. The situation became so desperate that the Browns had to field a makeshift line, with Joel Bitonio shifting to left tackle, Ethan Pocic at left guard, Nick Harris at center, rookie Zak Zinter at right guard, and Jones at right tackle.
**Third-Down Struggles:**
Third down continues to haunt the Browns, as they converted just 4-of-14 attempts against the Giants. This extends a troubling pattern, with Cleveland converting only 18.6 percent of their third downs through the first three weeks of the season—a key factor in their offensive struggles.
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