#webarktogether

Man, why does Antonio Brown always destroy the Browns?  Brown caught all 11 targets for 182 yards including a game changing 36-yard catch in traffic on third down with 2:26 minutes remaining in the game.  The Browns struggled with accounting for Brown who gets off the line of scrimmage quickly with slants. Jamar Taylor and Jason McCourty were matched up on Brown and could not stop him.  Browns fans will probably be very mad because Joe Haden is now with the Steelers, but as we all know, Joe Haden would not have stopped him either.  In addition to Browns, Steelers Tight End Jesse James had two touchdown receptions which Christian Kirksey was staring down Ben Roethlisberger freezing him for James to get open.  The linebackers will need to play better in coverage against tight ends who will look to attack Kirksey and Jamie Collins.

Overall, the Browns defense played well.  There was a ton of energy and excitement to get back on the field playing in front of 67,000 fans in First Energy Stadium.  The run defense was outstanding today with holding arguably the best running back in Le’Veon Bell to 32 yards on 10 carries.  Bell, who signed his franchise tag on September 1, did not look in game shape as he was not hitting the holes as aggressive once he finds a lane and not engage in the passing game receiving screens from Ben Roethlisberger. The safeties played a very large role as Jabrill Peppers and Derrick Kindred were very active against the run and pass.  Kindred intercepted Roethlisberger in the fourth quarter as the Browns were down 21-10. Gregg Williams will continue to blitz with disguised schemes and needs to work on zone coverage to not have wide receivers find soft zones to move the chains.

Now, the Browns offense is a work in progress.  First, DeShone Kizer deserves some praise for giving the Browns a quarterback who the fan base has been longing for since 1999, however, he deserves some blame as well. Kizer, who finished 20 of 30 with 220 yards, held the ball too long, resulting in seven sacks for the Pittsburgh defense.  TJ Watt made an outstanding leaping catch for an interception on a poor decision by Kizer as the Browns were in Steelers territory.  This was the first game for Kizer and Hue Jackson will instruct Kizer to get rid of the ball quicker and make smarter decisions with passing and running the ball.  Kizer looks to have chemistry with Corey Coleman, who caught 5 passes for 53 yards and a touchdown, to cut the lead to 5 late in the fourth quarter.  That connection will need to be strong as the season progresses.  Kenny Britt had a key drop on 3 and 19 as he turned his head before catching the ball. Britt will need to show he was a good acquisition because he has not looked great since signing the contract in the off-season.

Isaiah Crowell did not have a good day finishing with 33 yards on 17 carries.  I give credit to Pittsburgh’s run defense as they game planned to stop Crowell from hitting holes.  The Browns looked overmatched at the line of scrimmage when running the ball with JC Tretter and Kevin Zeitler brought in for improving the offensive line.  The running games needs to improve fast with the next game being against the Baltimore Ravens.  Hue Jackson will need to figure out how to attack another stout 3-4 defense.