Looking Forward to the 2019 AFC North

Because we play the Browns twice while you guys get us.

 

Okay, Dufuss.

Both teams are 2-4. Both teams have played similar schedules, to date. Your remaining schedule opponents have a W/L pct of 0.395. Ours is 0.410.

It's not unreasonable to expect that these two teams will split their 2 game series. So, take your Black and Yellow goggles and jam them up where the sun don't shine.

 

You would be able to see it better there.

 

I don't disagree with his play-calling... I disagree with this approach to the game, and agree with your assessment of needing to run the ball (and clock) in this case. They should have been looking to run out clock and play for - at worst - the field goal and halftime. Freddie, to his credit, has done a very good job addressing issues even game-to-game. Let's see if his approach changes next time they're in a similar position.

The offense got the look they wanted. Baker was a shade late with the football, but it hits Landry in the hands. If he catches that, it's six (seven) and the Browns take a 27-12 lead. Kick the ball to Seattle and have three time outs with 1:33 to play in the game. If they take a two (or more) score lead, they probably have a gameplan in mind for the second half that involves running the ball and playing possession football.

You hate the play-call because it back-fired. If it worked and was executed properly by all 11 guys, we're not talking about it right now.

 

No. I hate the play call because it goes against the grain of sound, fundamental, situational football.

If frogs had wings, they wouldn't whomp their ass every time they jumped.

 

This was the 2nd time this year he had 1st down inside the opponents' 15 yard line. The first time, he dialed up 4 pass plays and didn't score a single point. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see what he would have called on 2nd down this time.

 

Not sure about the 15 yard line, but from the opponent's 1-10 yard line...

• 34 plays
• 17 rushes
• 17 passes
• 13 first downs

On those 13 first downs...

• 9 runs
• 4 throws

Full detail here.

Chubb's averaging 1.25 YPC inside the 10 with three touchdowns. Bake's averaging 1.18 YPA inside the 10 with three touchdowns. Seems pretty balanced...

 

I didn't mind the play call at all. It was the pre-snap formation that I didn't like, and it was the same in that 4 play debacle at the end of the Rams game. Why clear out the backfield completely, thus announcing to the defense that you are absolutely going to throw the football? At least leave Chubb in the backfield to give the LB's something to think about. I can understand not wanting to slam him up in there for little to no gain when the D stacks it up, but once you clear out the backfield, leaving only Mayfield, it just makes things that much easier for the defense to react. I just don't get Freddie's logic on those plays down close. If we had a shitty running game, with no real threat, then it would make sense. But we have one of the strongest RB's in the NFL. Regardless of whether you give him the ball or not, it just doesn't make sense to keep removing Chubb from the field in those situations.

 

All those YPC's and YPA's are fine and dandy. But they have ZERO to do with situational football. Which is what play calling is all about. The facts are, in both the Rams game and the Seahawks game, the Browns would have been better off to run the ball, take time off the clock and walk away with, at least a field goal. And, if they had, we would probably be at 4-2 instead of 2-4.

In addition, @TopDawg hit the nail smack on the head when he mentioned the empty backfield sets. Why telegraph what you're going to do?

 

One more thing and then I'll STFU.

How many fumbles does Chubb have in the Red Zone and how many interceptions does Mayfield have in the Red Zone.

#situationalfootball

 

I was harping on this in a discussion about another team (think it was GB).

I don’t care if your 5 best offensive skill players are all WRs. It simply doesn’t make sense to telegraph to the defense that you are throwing, unless you have a QB like Jackson or Allen.

Line up in 11, 12, or 21 and at least pose the threat of the run to the defense so you force them to create layers of coverage.

I understand those layers will be compacted but in a tightened area where space is hard to create, every advantage needs to be utilized.

 

I will continue to say that I'm not worried about the Browns, yet.....

Take Seattle and and San Fran off our early schedule and replace them with Arizona and Miami. Where would the Browns be? We'd be 4-2 and in control of the division and nobody would be panicking. That's what the Raven's schedule has gifted them, and that's the only reason they are 4-2 and "seemingly" in control of the AFCN.

I'm telling you right now. Don't buy into the Raven's running away with this thing.

Have the Browns handled the hard part of the schedule well? Absolutely not. There's a long way to go however, and the schedule favor's Cleveland down the stretch in a major way, IMO. We'll see how it shakes out. I'm confident that the Browns are going to get right, and go on a roll through the second half of the season.

 

Agree 100% (almost)

The Ravens have definitely benefited from their schedule, so far. Their opponents W/L record (in games not involving the Ravens) is 8-14-1 (0.370).

• The Browns, 16-12--0 (0.571)
• The Steelers, 16-7-0 (0.696)
• The Bengals, 12-9-1 (0.568)

The opponents still to be played W/L records

• The Ravens, 0.622
• The Browns, 0.410
• The Steelers, 0.395
• The Bengals, 0.467

IMHO, the AFCN title will come down to the Browns and the Steelers. (Stick a fork in the Bengals. They were out of it 4 weeks ago.) The Ravens currently enjoy a 2 game lead but that will evaporate quickly.with the schedule they have in front of them. The Browns and the Steelers are currently tied for 2nd place at 4-2 and both have just about the same strength of schedule left. Interestingly enough, all three teams have 5 home games remaining. So, why did I post that the Steelers would win the AFCN the other day? Because they know how to win and the Browns are still learning.

 

I agree in theory, but I'm not convinced that Duck or Reindeer know how to win in the NFL. Bottom line is, that's what the Steelers are facing. Do you really believe one of those Yinzer QB's are going to take down the AFCN? I just don't see it. Anything is possible in this division, but i believe it'll come down to Baker and Lamar. Browns are one up in head to head competition with Baltimore, and they have the much better 2nd half schedule....

Freddie and Bake are going to get it going...I believe we will hand New England their first loss of the season.

 

So now we're back to agreeing that it's more on execution than play sequence or call.

Personally, I want the ball in my franchise quarterback's hand. Baker Mayfield is the same guy who went 15 of 25 (60%) for 10 TDs, 0 INTs in the opponents' 1-10 last season.

Interestingly enough... Browns (Weeks 9 - 16) were at 14 runs, 13 passes (27 plays) in the opponents 1-10. What sticks out is already we've blown past that in terms of total plays (34 through six weeks). That would seem to indicate (watching the games would confirm, too) we're much less efficient this season than last. Chubb took all those rushes... four touchdowns. Mayfield took all the throws... 10 touchdowns.

Play selection seems to match - again, almost 50/50 run pass, so it's not the play calling as much as it is the play scheme or the execution.

FWIW... I agree with you and @TopDawg with emptying the backfield. It's maddening and completely unnecessary.

 

I dunno...

Last time Ben missed a chunk of time (2015), they finished 10-6 and second in the AFC North. Going back that far, they're 6-5 without Ben in the lineup, including a four-point win over an 0-16 Browns (2017), and an overtime, three-point win against 1-15 Browns (2016) -- which *may* have helped to pad that record.

 

On the contrary. I don't believe we agree at all.

To answer my question that prompted your response, Chubb has a TOTAL of 1 fumble in his pro career (and that was after a pass reception and was not in the Red Zone). Mayfield, on the other hand, has had three red zone interceptions in 6 games so far this year.

I know I shouldn't have to say this because I'm sure you already know it's more difficult to complete a pass in the red zone than anywhere else on the field (and the closer you get to the goal line, the harder it becomes). And it just gets even more difficult when the play call starts out with an empty backfield. So, why the play execution may have resulted in a turnover, the play call itself is what doomed the execution before the play even started.

 

I agree with this. The Browns and Steelers still have Dolphins and Cardinals on the schedule. And the Ravens still have to go to Seattle (this week), play NE, go to Los Angeles (hopefully when they get that thing turned around), go to Buffalo (they can stop the run) and face the 49ers. Whoever wins this division is going to be pretty damn close to .500.

 

If Mason can stay healthy he can play winning football. Steelers have the best defense in the division. They just need a game manager. He can do that. The next three at home are very winnable games. And they still have the Cardinals, Bengals and Jets after that. 9-7 might do it in this division.

 

Anything is possible but this seems pretty unlikely. The last time New England lost at home Oct 2017.