Browns search for answers and mull changes as season sinks lower after pitiful performance

Updated Oct. 7, 2024 3:59 p.m. ET

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CLEVELAND (AP) — Deshaun Watson paused several times while searching for answers that were as elusive as a third-down completion.

Following the latest embarrassment, a 34-13 loss Sunday at Washington, Cleveland's beleaguered and battered quarterback, who has yet to throw for 200 yards in a game this season while being sacked a league-leading 26 times behind an offensive line held together by duct tape, was peppered with questions about all that troubles the Browns.

“I don't know,” Watson said when asked why the team is committing so many critical, drive-stopping penalties.

Watson had a similar response on several other subjects.

The Browns are a complete mess. Nothing is working. Everything is on the table.

Five games into a season that was considered make-or-break for Watson, the Browns have the NFL's lowest-rated offense, a defense that can't tackle and a fan base ready to revolt at the next dropped pass.

After players spent last week promising improvement and going as far as talking about the playoffs still being within reach, the Browns (1-4) were soundly thumped in every facet by the Commanders and their dynamic rookie QB Jayden Daniels.

Watson didn't look comfortable in the pocket — again — and that's not entirely on him as the protection breakdowns remain rampant. But he also bailed out too early and ran into a couple of sacks. He missed open receivers and didn't raise the level of play of his teammates — a requirement for a franchise quarterback.

He doesn't look or act like one.

Watson went 15 of 28 for 125 yards with a touchdown, lost a fumble and posted a 77.2 passer rating against the Commodores, who came into the game with the league's worst defense.

The performance was so pedestrian, so poor that Stefanski was asked if he'll bench his $230 million QB.

He said no during his postgame news conference on Sunday, and Stefanski reiterated that stance during a Zoom call on Monday.

“I have to coach better,” he said. "As offensive coaches, we have to coach better. As players, we have to play better. Deshaun can play better. He will play better. He’s had some, obviously, good moments and then there’s some times that we have to play better around him.

“He’s committed to getting better.”

That's all well and good, but going forward, Stefanski may have no choice but to bench Watson in favor of backup Jameis Winston, who might be able to provide a spark for an offense devoid of any firepower.

It might not be Stefanski or general manager Andrew Berry's call, as owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam were the ones who mortgaged the team's short-term future by signing Watson to his fully guaranteed deal.

Stefanski also has to think hard about handing over play-calling duties to coordinator Ken Dorsey. It's a move he's resisted in the past, but one that could allow him to deal with the many other issues plaguing his team.

“There's a bunch of different things that we want to look at,” Stefanski said.

Right now, the Browns are hard to look at.

What's working

There isn't a single aspect of the team operating at a winning or competitive level.

What needs help

The list is long, but the offense is priorities Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

The Browns tore down their offense in the offseason, bringing in Dorsey, who was fired in Buffalo last season, to design a system that better suits Watson's style. It hasn't produced results — Cleveland's offense is dead last, averaging 239.4 yards per game.

At the other end of the spectrum, Baltimore averages 447.6 yards.

Stock up

Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was the lone bright spot on Sunday and even he had some rough moments.

Owusu-Koramoah forced two turnovers, intercepting a Daniels pass near the goal line and punching the ball loose from a Washington running back on the opening possession of the second half.

Stock down

Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. was beaten badly for a 41-yard TD reception by Dyami Brown late in the first half and had several missed tackles.

Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy dropped a TD pass in the end zone during a sequence in which the Browns were also called for a false start and too many men on the field, forcing the team to kick a field goal.

Rookie right guard Zak Zinter, while filling in for the injured Wyatt Teller, was late in making a key block on an early fourth-down play near midfield. He also struggled on a few drop backs, contributing to Watson being sacked seven times.

Injuries

Stefanski is awaiting MRI results on tight end David Njoku (knee), center Ethan Pocic (knee) and cornerback Denzel Ward (hamstring).

Key numbers

19 — Consecutive third downs over a two-game stretch in which the Browns failed to convert a first down. Cleveland started 0 for 12 on Sunday.

What's next

A third straight road trip, this one on Sunday in Philadelphia in what was supposed to be a happy homecoming for Stefanski but has become a desperation game.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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