Offend

Yards per game: (4.2) Last

Perhaps the most obvious area is the lack of yards this team gains per game. They are one of seven teams that average less than 5.0 yards per game.

Take the Baltimore Ravens, for example. Despite the Week 8 loss to the Browns, they lead the league in yards per game (7.1).

Many factors have kept this Browns offense from being able to move the ball. From a conservative offense for most of the season, to shorter routes that did not stretch the field too much, to the lack of blockages.

False starts: (16) Tied for second

The offensive line is the only position group that not only has yet to play even, but has done so since the season began.

The many penalties that have hampered a series because of the offensive line are huge. The only area where they really made their mark is false starts.

As a unit, the O-line is currently tied for second false start penalties (16) and tied for fourth in total yards lost from false starts (79). Offensive tackles Dawand Joneswho had two false starts in 11 games in 2023, is tied for fourth in false starts (five) through nine games.

Third Quarter Points: (3.0) 26th

While the Browns aren’t the worst in this stat category, it does address a topic regarding how they came out offensively in the second half.

The 3.0 points they have in the third quarter is the fewest quarter per game.

This implies a lack of cohesion coming out of halftime, which is usually a time when a team is expected to come out better to clean up mistakes.

Third down conversion rate: (28.68%) Last place

Cleveland’s lack of yards on first downs leads to third-and-long scenarios.

Thus, the Browns have the worst third-down conversion percentage in the league (28.68%).

What’s even worse is that the Browns are averaging the most third-down attempts in the league (14.3). In the top 10, they are ahead of six teams with winning records, but Cleveland can’t convert.

Red Zone Attempts: (1.8) Last

The Browns’ inability to move the ball also led to a lack of opportunities in the red zone. They currently average the fewest red zone field goal attempts per game in the league (1.8) and are the only offense averaging under two attempts.

For comparison, you have four teams ahead of them tied for 28th in red zone attempts (2.4), and two of those teams beat the Browns (Raiders and Chargers).

Some of those red zone opportunities for the Browns come at the end or when the game is all but decided.

Examples include their late touchdown in the Week 5 loss to Washington, the late score in the Week 7 loss to Cincinnati, and the touchdown with 44 seconds left in Week 9.

Defense

2nd Quarter Points Allowed: (10.0) Ranked fourth

Going into the half, the defense was not productive in keeping points off the board.

One example was in Week 9, when the Chargers scored 13 of their 27 points in the second quarter.

What’s interesting is that Cleveland allows the fewest points per game in the fourth quarter (3.0).

This just provides further proof that more often than not, it will take the defense through the first three quarters to wake up before getting bogged down in the final period. We were used to this unit playing like this for all four quarters last season.

Missed tackles: (68) Tied for fourth

Finishing tackles have not been a strong solution for the defense this year, as they are tied for the fourth most missed tackles with the Giants and Colts.

Pro Football Focus ranks the Browns 31st in missed tackle percentage (30.4%).

Among qualified players, Ogbo Okoronkwo leads the team in missed tackle percentage (40.0%). But in the top five on the Browns, three of them are cornerbacks, and Cameron Mitchell leads all defensive backs in this area (30.8%).

When you go back to 2023, the Browns finished the regular season 24th in missed tackle percentage (48.0%). So while they weren’t as good in that category last season, when they were lauded as the league’s best unit, it’s even more noticeable this season.

Total penalties: (57) Tied for 13th

Penalties are part of the game, but you want to keep a small amount of them.

The Browns defense has committed 57 penalties, which is tied for 13th with the Jets. They rank 18th in penalty yards against (450).

While 57 seems like a lot, it’s actually an improvement over last year’s league-leading 118 penalties.

Opponent completion percentage: (59.85%) Ranked third best

The one area this defense has excelled in is making it difficult for the opposing quarterback to complete passes at a high rate.

Opponents’ completion percentage this season is down slightly from their 2023 rate of 58.17%, which ranked first.

Opponent Red Zone Scoring Percentage (TD Only): (62.96%) 24th

The Browns defense can be better when it comes to red zone defense.

They are one of 12 teams allowing a red zone scoring rate of 60% or higher.

The Browns fared even worse in this area in 2023, ranking last (71.11%), showing it’s something that still needs improvement.

I can’t wait

Before the final eight games of 2024, these areas on both sides of the ball need a serious overhaul.

Offensively, it was a big downgrade from last season, for obvious reasons. Defensively, there were some good points to look at, but it was the little things that hurt them in the long run.

If the Browns are to even sniff out wins the rest of the season, they need to improve in these statistical categories.