Cleveland Browns Season Recap: Three Big Things

With the Cleveland Browns season officially ending after Week 18 after failing to make the playoffs, it’s time to reflect on their play and see exactly where they shined during the 2021 season. Today, we are going to discuss the three biggest things that we learned the Browns must address to step up and be a playoff team next season. 

There were some things that held them back a bit, but there was a lot to like from this Browns team. Here, we’ll dissect the top three things. 

Run the Ball Consistently

No matter who is the quarterback in the future, the Browns have been one of the best rushing teams in the entire NFL. They were fourth in the regular season as they averaged 145.4 rushing yards per game and they’ll still have solid running backs in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Head coach Kevin Stefanski needs to focus on running the ball more as they averaged 5.1 yards per rushing attempt during the season, which was tied with the Indianapolis Colts for the best in the league. 

Having one of the best rushing attacks in the sport should not make the Browns run the ball the ninth-most time in football. If they can figure out how to step up and continue to create openings with their offensive line, this would be a great positive for the offense.

Defensive Line is Showing Up

The defensive line played very well this season as the combination of defensive end Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney have been playing incredibly well. Garrett had 16 sacks while Clowney finished with nine. They also were the only two players for Cleveland to record at least eight tackles for loss. 

Garrett is locked up and played well before his big extension kicks in at the beginning of the 2022-23 season and Clowney is a free agent and should be one of the biggest offseason focuses. Having both of these players on the defensive line will allow them to wreak havoc on the opposing quarterback as offenses can’t focus on both of them at once. 

Secondary Locking Down

With the rules benefitting the quarterback, it’s a whole lot more difficult to step up and limit the quarterback’s production. Looking at the regular season, the Browns were one of five teams (Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers) to allow fewer than 200 passing yards per game. Cleveland has allowed 192.1 passing yards per game throughout the regular season and that is going to really help them be one of the best defenses in the game. 

The Browns do not have a great secondary with names that make non-Cleveland fans excited but cornerback Denzel Ward, safety John Johnson III, and cornerback Greedy Williams specifically have been playing well and limiting the action of the opposing offense. Having solid defensive play is going to really help make Cleveland be a solid team for the future.