Week 9 Deep Coverage: Browns vs. Broncos Game Preview
November 1, 2019The Unnecessary Death of Deadspin
November 1, 2019The 2019 Cleveland Browns have been a massive disappointment after heightened expectations as the team currently sits in third place within the AFC North division; three full games back of the Baltimore Ravens. The schedule on the back-half of the schedule is far easier than the first-half was, but the Browns need to navigate a tricky game against the Denver Broncos first.
The WFNY staff is here to discuss what that might entail.
Here we go.
Ahead of the deadline, the Browns traded Genard Avery to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2021 fourth-round pick. Does this trade make sense to you?
Gilbert: No. It never makes sense to trade a young edge rusher with the talent of Avery. I just do not get the disconnect this team had with Avery.
Bode: For whatever reason, Wilks did not believe Avery fit in his defensive scheme. There were some reports they asked him to gain weight to play more a true defensive end, but, given the added emphasis on rushing the passer, it is sad the Browns could not find a way to make it work. Let’s just say I doubt another NFL team would give the Browns a fourth-round pick for Chad Thomas.
Poloha: If you would have asked me this before the season, I would’ve said no. Avery did well in his first season, proving that his value was much better than just a fifth-round pick as a rookie. But after being inactive for much of this season and not playing much even when he was active, it was clear that Avery was most likely on his way out for reasons we may never know. I guess getting a fourth-round pick for him is good, but I just loved what he brought to the team in 2018.
Gerbs: That’s a no from me, but I will say this: if you have a player you aren’t playing but others are willing to pay for, you had better turn him for something. Obviously, you want and should be playing your best players, but if you are sitting him for some reason or another and the trade asset that he is is declining, then make the move. You had just better not pull a Raiders and then say next offseason you need more of a pass rush. Good night sweet prince. We hardly knew ye.
The NFL trade deadline itself came and went with no big moves made league-wide. Was there any move that the Browns should have made?
Gilbert: With the crazy high price that most players were going for, it is probably good that the Browns did not get into the trading frenzy. Yes, I would have liked to have added a starting tackle, but I did not want to mortgage the future for a trade.
Bode: Reports are John Dorsey offered a first-round pick to the Washington Redskins early in the season for Trent Williams but were unwilling to match that offer at the deadline. With the added risk of Williams’ health and ramp this late in the season, it makes sense for their offer to have gone down. Tanking NFL teams still value players even on expiring contracts too much, so it is unfortunate but a reality the Browns didn’t have any real trades to make.
Poloha: I was hoping they would trade for Trent Williams but not have to send a first-round pick to the Redskins for the left tackle. But with Thursday’s news about Williams having cancer and beating it during the offseason, I’m glad they didn’t acquire him. He needs to focus on his off-field stuff rather than playing and I’m glad he’s doing that.
Gerbs: With the season not going the way we expected thus far, it’s probably not the worst thing we didn’t sink any draft capital into a deadline that didn’t have much to fix the holes Cleveland has. A Trent Williams trade would have looked nice, but as we found out yesterday that he battled cancer in the offseason, it’s for the best that he recuperate and try not to risk rushing back.
Brandon Allen’s last pass in a meaningful game was January 2, 2016, in the Liberty Bowl and did not even spend the preseason with the Broncos. Does the Denver Bronco offense have any chance at success this week?
Gilbert: All I have to say is that they better not have much success. There is no excuse for the Browns defense to not dominant their offense.
Bode: The Broncos had the No. 30 ranked pass offense with Joe Flacco according to Football Outsiders, which should not get better with their third-string quarterback (Drew Lock is injured as well). The Browns defense though has been gashed on runs up the middle all season long, which is exactly where I expect Denver to attack. Wilks better have a plan to force Allen to throw the ball.
Poloha: I hope not. The Browns defense needs to show their dominance this week, especially with Allen starting. It’s time for the front-seven to dominate.
Gerbs: Unfortunately, Philip Lindsay and Royce Freeman are healthy, so there is a fighting chance given our lack of run stoppers, but with the insertion of Brandon Allen into the starting lineup, this game became a pushover rather quickly.
The Broncos defense is the strength of the team and marks the last of the Top-3 NFL defenses the Browns have not yet faced — with New England and San Francisco as the others. What does the Browns offense need to do to have success against Denver?
Gilbert: RUN THE BALL AND FEED THE CHUBB.
Bode: The Broncos defense is more similar to New England than San Francisco except they do not generate turnovers at a NFL historic rate as the Patriots do. This is good news for the Browns as they were able to find ways to generate offense against New England. Chubb should be a big part of the gameplan; as should crossing routes with Landry and Beckham Junior.
Poloha: The offense needs to run through Nick Chubb and it will have a trickle-down effect from there. If the running back has success, it will open the passing and play-action game and make things much easier for Baker Mayfield.
Gerbs: Execute the gameplan like you’re supposed to. You should be using Chubb, quick passes, play-action, and 12 personnel as much as possible to get the most out of the offense. When they deviate from that gameplan is when they have issues.
At 2-5, the Browns are nearly in panic mode. What are the most important components to Cleveland pulling out a win this week?
Gilbert: STOP THE SELF-INFLICTING MISTAKES.
Bode: I have little hope the Browns quell their penalty issues. So, winning the turnover battle will be the biggest key to the game. The defense needs to force Allen into passing situations, and the offense needs to keep Mayfield in rhythm. This game is quite winnable, but it won’t be easy.
Poloha: Stop with the penalties and turnovers and Freddie needs to make better decisions in terms of clock management and just managing the game as a whole. They’re 2-5, but there’s still plenty of hope due to the schedule that lies ahead. Just take it game by game and don’t think about the big picture quite yet.
Gerbs: The penalties and self-inflicted mistakes must end. It’s as simple as that. If the reports are true and the coaching staff has gone back to a “punishment” style week of practice, it might just be what the doctor ordered. Just wish it had happened sooner.