clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Game Review: Jaguars Prove to be a Bad Matchup for Browns in 24-6 Loss

Rob Foldy

I should have seen this coming: the Jacksonville Jaguars are just a bad matchup for the Cleveland Browns.

It sounds a little ridiculous to say that about a team that was 0-6 heading into our game was a bad matchup, but they were, and it came at the right time. In my game preview, I gave the Jaguars the edge on the defensive line, noting how they rotated 8-9 defensive linemen in and had more sacks on their line alone than the Browns had as a team.

Then, despite Pro Football Focus having shredded OG Paul McQuistan as a right guard last year with the Seahawks (and the previous week against the Steelers) and OL John Greco making his first career start at center, I tried to make myself believe that they could hold the fort down well enough to win. Instead, the Browns' offensive line crumbled against the Jaguars' defensive line, and that led to a lack of running lanes and more pressure than QB Brian Hoyer was accustomed to seeing this season. The result was an ugly offensive performance, and although I still think the Browns should have been able to win ugly, we didn't. Let's get to the complete game review.

Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

1st 2nd 3rd 4th FINAL
3
3
0
0
6
0
7
3
14
24

WEEK 7 - CLEVELAND BROWNS VS. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
(COMPLETE GAME REVIEW)

  1. Goat of the Game: RB Terrance West - In his return game from being benched, running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery decided to feature West before RB Isaiah Crowell in the first half. The results were not pretty, as West finished with 5 carries for 8 yards before being benched for the second half. West had two terrible runs to close out the first half, both of which had a significant trickle down effect on how the remainder of the first half unfolded. I wouldn't be surprised if West is inactive or out of the rotation again this Sunday.

  2. Awarding the Game Ball: FS Tashaun Gipson - How can you not give the game ball to Gipson, whose two interceptions on rookie QB Blake Bortles set Cleveland up with great field position in the first half? Sadly, the net result was a total of three points for the Browns, but Gipson's ball skills have to be the best in the secondary.

  3. Jaguars' Pressure Gets Their Pressure Early: After only attempting 19 passes the previous week, the Browns came out firing on their first drive -- 4 of their 5 plays were through the air. I don't think that's a negative, I'm just pointing it out.
    Week 7 Offense (1) - 3rd Down Penetration
    After having picked up one first down, the Browns found themselves in a situation they would be in most of the game: 3rd-and-long, and specifically, 3rd-and-9 in this case. QB Brian Hoyer found out early in the game that he wasn't going to get the same type of pass protection he'd been accustomedf to in the first five games, as Jaguars DT Sen'Derrick Marks is going to fake one way and then go inside on RG Paul McQuistan.
    Week 7 Offense (1) - 3rd Down Penetration
    Hoyer has pressure in his face before he completes his dropback and takes a hit as he delivers an inaccurate pass to WR Travis Benjamin over the middle (not shown). If McQuistan even gets a half-way decent block, Hoyer had the right read and probably gets a completion to near mid-field. Here is a video of McQuistan getting beat on the play.

  4. Denard Robinson Goes Wild: When I say wild, I'm talking about "wild for RB Denard Robinson standards" as the former college quarterback had a career day, averaging 5.8 YPC on 22 carries.
    Week 7 Defense (1) - Run on 2-4-5
    The Browns' first defensive snap began in a 2-4-5 formation.
    Week 7 Defense (1) - Run on 2-4-5
    There are no tricks here as Robinson finds a pretty sizable hole for a gain of 14 yards. I will say this about the Browns' run defense: yes, the productivity that opposing teams are getting is undesirable. Against the Jaguars, though, they weren't sustaining drives via the ground game. They would pick up a first down or two consistently with a good run, but then were stopped and forced to punt.

    In the isolated run defense example above, DL John Hughes tries to penetrate into the backfield, which helps create the hole shown. If Hughes had crashed to his left initially, DL Desmond Bryant or ILB Karlos Dansby would be in position to clean up the tackle on the cutback attempt.

  5. Greco Beat on Cutback Run: Are you ready to look at the first of many bad plays for the Browns' offense? Expect a heavy dose of watching our offensive line issues in this film review session.
    Week 7 Offense (2) - Blocking Stops Cutback
    Facing a 2nd-and-8 on their second drive of the game, the Browns are going to try to set up a cutback run. Interestingly enough, WR Marlon Moore is in the game here for a rare offensive snap, as he'll be coming back across to the left to provide a chip on the edge. Unfortunately, DT Roy Miller (cyan arrow) is going to beat C John Greco off the snap and blow up the play.
    Week 7 Offense (2) - Blocking Stops Cutback
    Look at the advantage that Miller has before Hoyer is even close to handing the ball off to RB Ben Tate.
    Week 7 Offense (2) - Blocking Stops Cutback
    The cutback lane could have been there for a nice gain, but Tate is hit in the backfield and dropped for a loss of three yards. That sets up another 3rd-and-long (3rd-and-11), which you can't keep expecting an offense to be successful at. Here is a video of Greco getting beat at the snap.

  6. Sheard's Pressure Leads to INT: Despite punting on their first two drives, the Browns would soon be back in business thanks to an interception by FS Tashaun Gipson.
    Week 7 Defense (2) - Sheard Pressure Leads to INT
    On the first play of the drive, QB Blake Bortles is going to try to hit WR Marqise Lee, who is running a crossing route from the slot to Bortles' right. Pay attention to OLB Jabaal Sheard, who is going to rush the tight end from the bottom of the screen.
    Week 7 Defense (2) - Sheard Pressure Leads to INT
    Sheard is lined up against a tight end, which is obviously going to be a favorably matchup for the Browns. Once Sheard sees that this is a pass play, he bull rushes the tight end all the way back to where Bortles is.
    Week 7 Defense (2) - Sheard Pressure Leads to INT
    Sheard gets the hit on Bortles as he releases the ball...
    Week 7 Defense (2) - Sheard Pressure Leads to INT
    ...and it's a duck into the waiting arms of Gipson. Had Sheard not been able to apply the pressure, the Browns still had good coverage on Lee, but a nice pass could have led to a completion.

  7. Hoyer & Austin Not on the Same Page: The Browns took over at the 17 yard line.
    Week 7 Offense (3) - Austin Not Looking
    On first down, this is a called run play, but QB Brian Hoyer has the option to signal an adjustment to his wide receiver based on the coverage. Hoyer expects WR Miles Austin to have inside position in a one-on-one battle over the middle.
    Week 7 Offense (3) - Austin Not Looking
    The problem? Austin must not have seen the cue from Hoyer. If he had, this play goes for a first down inside the ten yard line, and could even be a touchdown if Austin's able to break a tackle.

  8. Swing Screen Not Blocked Well: The Browns then called a timeout prior to their 2nd-and-10 play.
    Week 7 Offense (4) - Swing Screen Not Blocked
    Coming out of the timeout, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan called a swing screen play to RB Terrance West. It's a play I don't think we've run this season, which is good for the unpredictably factor. However, that also means we have less experience executing our blocks on this play, and one bad block can kill the play.
    Week 7 Offense (4) - Swing Screen Not Blocked
    The guy I circled on the offensive line is RT Mitchell Schwartz. He tried to cut block a defender, but the defender did a good job avoiding it. Downfield, TE Jordan Cameron can't get a good block on his man.
    Week 7 Offense (4) - Swing Screen Not Blocked
    The combination of missed blocks leads to West being taken down for no gain (meanwhile, WR Andrew Hawkins, the smallest guy on the team, still manages to maintain his block downfield). A delay of game penalty then led to a 3rd-and-15, which again is a low success rate, so the Browns had to settle for a field goal to go up 3-0 mid-way through the first quarter.

  9. Benjamin Drops a 3rd Down Pass: The Browns' defense forced another punt, and then on Cleveland's next offensive series, a pair of first downs put Cleveland at midfield.
    Week 7 Offense (5) - Benjamin Drops 3rd Down
    This time, the Browns had a somewhat better third-down situation at 3rd-and-7, but it's still not ideal. WR Travis Benjamin is going to run to the first down marker and come back for the ball.
    Week 7 Offense (5) - Benjamin Drops 3rd Down
    QB Brian Hoyer delivers the pass on time and to Benjamin's outside.
    Week 7 Offense (5) - Benjamin Drops 3rd Down
    It's a good throw and Benjamin has both hands on it, but he can't haul in the pass. The Browns had what would qualify as 3 or 4 dropped passes on the day, more than doubling their amount for the entire season.

  10. Browns Use Gilbert on the Blitz: After both teams traded punts back-and-forth again, we shift to under ten minutes to play in the second quarter.
    Week 7 Defense (3) - Gilbert on the Blitz
    The Jaguars are facing a 3rd-and-8 at the 41 yard line, on the verge of field goal range. QB Blake Bortles is going to look to the receiver on his left the whole way, so he never sees CB Justin Gilbert bringing the delayed blitz at the bottom of the screen (green).
    Week 7 Defense (3) - Gilbert on the Blitz
    Gilbert had a good game, and I like that we tried to find another way to get him to make a play besides being in coverage. Gilbert hits Bortles as he throws, and the pass sails well over his receivers head for an incompletion, leading to another punt.

  11. Route Combinations Too Close: To begin their next drive, the Browns tried to go deep, something they attempted three times against Jacksonville on "first play situations," and they were ready for it every time.
    Week 7 Offense (6) - Routes Don't Remove Safety
    The Browns are going to try a little bit of a hi-lo route combination here with WR Travis Benjamin running to the middle of the field deep before cutting back toward the left side of the field.
    Week 7 Offense (6) - Routes Don't Remove Safety
    Here is why I don't care for the play: at the point above, the deep safety doesn't know where to go, so he stays in the middle. If we have our receivers cross (Benjamin continues right, WR Taylor Gabriel continues left), then one or the other should have single coverage.
    Week 7 Offense (6) - Routes Don't Remove Safety
    When Benjamin goes upfield, it creates a little too much traffic for Gabriel's route. A linebacker has caught up in the mix, and the safety is still deep to where Benjamin is running. Hoyer launches the ball into double coverage because that's pretty much his only option on the play. FB Ray Agnew does leak into the flat late, but it's after Hoyer has already wound up to throw.

  12. Hoyer Misses the Window for Benjamin: Despite the missed play above, the Browns moved the chains with an 18-yard run by RB Ben Tate on the next play. That led to Cleveland's best drive of the game: 14 plays, 76 yards, and eating up 5:21 of game clock.
    Week 7 Offense (7) - Small Window to Benjamin
    The drive only led to a field goal, and there were two opportunities that Cleveland missed. After a 1st-and-goal run from the 4 yard line resulted in no gain, the Browns were faced with a 2nd-and-goal. QB Brian Hoyer is going to playaction fake to RB Ben Tate, who then leaks into the flat. TE Gary Barnidge leaks to the back right corner of the end zone for what was his only offensive snap of the game. I imagine we were hoping Barnidge would be wide open here. WR Travis Benjamin is running a crossing route along the front of the end zone.
    Week 7 Offense (7) - Small Window to Benjamin
    When Hoyer rolls out, he has two defenders on him. Although Barnidge has a lot of space to work with, the defender has good position on him. If Hoyer throws a pass leading him to the outside here, especially when he's not looking yet, the defender could have a play on the ball. Benjamin isn't open at the front of the end zone yet. If he improvised and went to the back of the end zone, there'd be a window to hit him.
    Week 7 Offense (7) - Small Window to Benjamin
    Because Hoyer is running behind a couple of linebackers, they don't see him and therefore aren't really moving with Benjamin. Therefore, a throw to a spot would lead to a touchdown for Benjamin. Hoyer's vision might be blocked by the oncoming pass rusher and the linebacker still in front of Benjamin, though, so before he takes a sack, Hoyer tosses the ball away.

  13. Hoyer Sails One to Cameron: If the previous play was a safe throwaway, then QB Brian Hoyer definitely missed his mark on 3rd-and-goal.
    Week 7 Offense (8) - High to Cameron
    TE Jordan Cameron is going to fake a step to the outside and then run straight up the seam to the back of the end zone.
    Week 7 Offense (8) - High to Cameron
    Cameron is open, but the throw is sailed well high and out of bounds. Why did Hoyer miss? Besides having a generally bad game, the fact that the Jaguars were batting a couple of his passes might have gotten into his head. Settling for a field goal, the Browns had a 6-0 lead with 4:19 to go in the first half.

  14. Gipson's Second INT: The Jaguars' next drive kept the momentum in Cleveland's favor.
    Week 7 Defense (4) - Gipson's Second INT
    Facing a 3rd-and-4 from the 26 yard line, FS Tashaun Gipson is going to notch his second interception of the game.
    Week 7 Defense (4) - Gipson's Second INT
    As QB Blake Bortles throws, you can see that Gipson is already driving on the ball.
    Week 7 Defense (4) - Gipson's Second INT
    Here is the view from Bortles' perspective, and I don't know if this is the type of thing he'll want to put on his highlight reel. I like Gipson's attacking mentality on a rookie quarterback. If we had been passive and dropping back into coverage, a cushion allows for a completion.

  15. West Dances, Misses 1st Down: The interception gave the Browns the ball at the 33 yard line. On first down, we ran a jet sweep to WR Andrew Hawkins that was good for 8 yards.
    Week 7 Offense (8a) - West Dances, Misses 1st Down
    This is where West starts to become the goat. It is 2nd-and-2. When the hole is there, you take it. Above, I diagram where the hole will form on this play.
    Week 7 Offense (8a) - West Dances, Misses 1st Down
    There's the hole, and West sees it. He's very clearly going to pick up the first down if he runs through it.
    Week 7 Offense (8a) - West Dances, Misses 1st Down
    Instead, West plants his foot in the ground when he sees S Johnathan Cyprien, a guy who might be able to tackle him at the second level. West decides to bounce to the outside, where there appears to be another hole..
    Week 7 Offense (8a) - West Dances, Misses 1st Down
    Once again, if West commits to this hole, he'll have the first down and more. He plants his foot in the ground again, and bounces the run out even wider.
    Week 7 Offense (8a) - West Dances, Misses 1st Down
    West still has time to say "screw it" and just settle for the first down if he uses his speed to race to the outside. Instead, now he decides to cut back to the inside.
    Week 7 Offense (8a) - West Dances, Misses 1st Down
    When he cuts back inside, finally, a swarm of Jaguars defenders get him. West picks up one yard, setting up a 3rd-and-1. After the game, West admitted that he was trying to find a "home run" on this play in order to earn playing time.

  16. West Misses Another Hole: The Browns still faced a 3rd-and-1 with the hope of making amends for the previous play. They keep RB Terrance West in the game and are going to give him the handoff from the Pistol.
    Week 7 Offense (9) - West Misses Another Hole
    Based on how the Browns are blocking, it seems like West should have a nice cutback lane waiting for him.
    Week 7 Offense (9) - West Misses Another Hole
    QB Brian Hoyer hasn't even handed the ball off to West yet, so I'd hope that West's vision would be good enough to see the cutback lane.
    Week 7 Offense (9) - West Misses Another Hole
    Instead, West burrows his head into the back of his offensive linemen. He could still salvage the play if he bounces the run out to his left. He'd only need to gain a yard, but as you can see, he'd get a whole lot more than that.
    Week 7 Offense (9) - West Misses Another Hole
    Instead, West bounces out to his right. The stat sheet credits him for having no gain, but this was actually a loss. The Browns were at 3rd-and-short heading into the play, but by my estimation, the next play looks like 4th-and-1.5. Here is a video clip of West missing the hole.

  17. Pettine Makes Mistake in Not Taking the Points: It was very frustrating to see West blow two opportunities, but once we failed, I had an uneasy feeling when we sent the offense back onto the field on 4th-and-1. If we were down by a touchdown, sure, let's go for it. But, our defense had dominated the Jaguars and our offense was struggling. A two-possession lead at 9-0 would've been great going into the half. Plus, consider this: even if we get the first down, that doesn't mean we're getting a touchdown. We could very well have gone 3-and-out on the next three plays and still kicked a field goal, albeit with a little less time on the clock.
    Week 7 Offense (10) - Failed 4th Down
    Anyway, Pettine decides to go for it, and we're banking on TE Jordan Cameron coming open in the flat.
    Week 7 Offense (10) - Failed 4th Down
    As QB Brian Hoyer does a playfake to the running back, two players, DE Red Bryant and LB Paul Posluszny, shoot through. Tate can't block them both, and he really isn't able to block either of them. No. 55, LB Geno Hayes, is glued to Cameron. To buy some time, all Hoyer can do is backpeddle and hope someone breaks open.
    Week 7 Offense (10) - Failed 4th Down
    Cameron tries to improvise and go deeper on his route, which ends up basically colliding with where WR Andrew Hawkins was originally going (although the defender had tight coverage on Hawkins too). All things considered, Hoyer's attempt isn't a bad one...
    Week 7 Offense (10) - Failed 4th Down
    ...in fact, if Cameron doesn't mistime his jump, he's going to catch this for a first down. He jumps a tad too early, though, and thus bobbles the ball a bit for the turnover on downs.

  18. Defense Surrenders Late TD: The defense doesn't deserve a free pass for letting QB Blake Bortles put a touchdown drive together all of a sudden in three plays, but I am a bit lenient on them because it's tough to play a full defensive game in this league.
    Week 7 Defense (5) - Harbor Goes Uncovered
    This is the second play of the drive where TE Clay Harbor is going to leak into the flat uncovered. Based on how the Browns' defense reacted to the play, the only thing I can surmise is that ILB Karlos Dansby (green) stayed in the middle of the field, not thinking Bortles would be looking to dump it off to his tight end.
    Week 7 Defense (5) - Harbor Goes Uncovered
    To a degree, Dansby was right. Bortles never looked for his tight end. Only when he was pressured and forced to roll out did he spot Harbor. Before Bortles throws the pass, you can see Dansby sprinting over toward Harbor. Because of how much space there is between Harbor and Dansby, Harbor is able to make Dansby miss in the open field for a gain of 24 yards. On the next play, the Browns' coverage wasn't bad; CB Buster Skrine simply missed a tackle, as did SS Donte Whitner, and it led to a go-ahead touchdown. Talk about a rotten feeling to go into the half down 7-6.
  19. Jaguars Not Fooled to Start 2nd Half: When the Browns faced the Titans in Week 5, their first offensive play of the second half was a deep hitch and go to WR Taylor Gabriel that went for 49 yards.
    Week 7 Offense (11) - Jaguars Not Fooled to Start Half
    Two weeks later, the Browns tried the same thing on their first offensive play of the second half. After QB Brian Hoyer takes the snap and fakes the handoff, he looks downfield.
    Week 7 Offense (11) - Jaguars Not Fooled to Start Half
    In the screenshot above, WR Taylor Gabriel is faking a move to the outside near midfield.
    Week 7 Offense (11) - Jaguars Not Fooled to Start Half
    Hoyer launches the ball deep, but the defender is in no way fooled. In fact, he has better position than Gabriel, and if the pass isn't overthrown, it could be intercepted.

  20. Tate's Missed Blitz Pickup Leads to Fumble: Two plays later, the Browns faced a 3rd-and-9.
    Week 7 Offense (12) - Tate Misses Pickup, Fumble
    QB Brian Hoyer is looking to take advantage of the catch-and-run ability of WR Andrew Hawkins here, who is lined up to his right and will be running an in-and-out.
    Week 7 Offense (12) - Tate Misses Pickup, Fumble
    The Jaguars are going to bring two guys off the left side. LT Joe Thomas will take the defender nearest to him, while RB Ben Tate is going to step up, allowing a free rusher off the edge.
    Week 7 Offense (12) - Tate Misses Pickup, Fumble
    Tate recognizes it late and tries to get over for a chip.
    Week 7 Offense (12) - Tate Misses Pickup, Fumble
    It's too late -- as Hoyer is ready to deliver the lead pass to Hawkins, he's getting whacked from behind. The play ends up being ruled a fumble and a recovery by the Jaguars. Personally, I still feel that it was not an empty hand, but it's close enough on replay to where I don't think the officials made a terrible call or anything.

  21. Sheard Just Misses Game-Changing Play: The Browns' defense held strong, forcing a field goal attempt that would give the Jaguars a four-point lead.
    Week 7 Special Teams (1) - Sheard Just Misses Block
    Jacksonville's game-winning field goal attempt last week from 55 yards out was blocked. This is only a 30-yard attempt, but DL Jabaal Sheard gets a rarity -- he shoots right up the middle!
    Week 7 Special Teams (1) - Sheard Just Misses Block
    If K Josh Scobee hits this like a kicker normally would, which is right down the middle, Sheard is going to deny the kick, and there's a good chance one of Cleveland's defenders would have picked up the ball for a touchdown return. Instead, Scobee hooks the ball well to his left, just inside the left upright and just missing Sheard by dumb luck.

  22. Awful 3rd Down Throw by Hoyer: Down 10-6, the Browns now face a 3rd-and-11 close to the mid-way point of the third quarter.
    Week 7 Offense (13) - Awful Throw by Hoyer
    TE Jordan Cameron is at the top of the screen running an out route beyond the first down marker.
    Week 7 Offense (13) - Awful Throw by Hoyer
    We've seen QB Brian Hoyer make some bad throws this year, but generally, I've felt his intangibles were good. On this one, I don't know what the heck happened. Not only is this severely underthrown for Cameron, it's as if Hoyer never sees the underneath defender here. He doesn't even face much pressure on the play. Aside from the missed throw to Cameron in the end zone earlier, this is his worst throw/decision of the game.
    Week 7 Offense (13) - Awful Throw by Hoyer
    The pass should be intercepted, possibly for a pick six. Thankfully, not all defensive backs can catch, so the drop at least allows the Browns to continue playing the field position game and punt.

  23. Kirksey Sacks Bortles on Overload Blitz: On the Jaguars' next possession, they went three-and-out.
    Week 7 Defense (6) - Kirksey Sacks Bortles
    Facing a 3rd-and-10, the Browns show an overload blitz on their left side. Will any of them drop back into coverage?
    Week 7 Defense (6) - Kirksey Sacks Bortles
    Nope, all four of them come. Because the center goes to his left, the Browns have a four-on-three with their overload blitz. The free man is S Jim Leonhard coming around the edge. With OLB Jabaal Sheard crashing inside, when QB Blake Bortles steps up in the pocket, ILB Chris Kirksey hits him for the sack.
    Week 7 Defense (6) - Kirksey Sacks Bortles
    Here's another screenshot of Bortles stepping up to where Kirksey is ready, dropping Bortles for a loss of two yards and forcing a punt. Here's a video of Kirksey's sack.

  24. Hawkins Drops a Pass: With every punt by the Browns, the margin for error is thinning. 6:22 is left in the third quarter, but it feels like we're down by a whole lot more than 10-6.
    Week 7 Offense (14) - Hawkins Drops a Pass
    On the first play of this drive, WR Andrew Hawkins is running a crossing route from the bottom of the screen. QB Brian Hoyer will bootleg to his left after the playaction fake.
    Week 7 Offense (14) - Hawkins Drops a Pass
    Hawkins has space in front of him, so a good throw will lead to a completion of about 15 yards.
    Week 7 Offense (14) - Hawkins Drops a Pass
    Hoyer makes a good throw, but Hawkins drops it. On second down, the RB Ben Tate picked up five yards, and then on third down, I think you can argue that Hawkins dropped another first-down pass. Too many miscues by everybody, not just Hoyer.

  25. Skrine's INT Restores Hope: The Jaguars were putting together one of their more complete drives of the game to close out the third quarter, and it seemed like they were going to go up by 7 or 11 points.
    Week 7 Defense (7) - Skrine INT
    Facing a 3rd-and-5, the Jaguars have a trips formation to their left, and the Browns' defensive backs appear to be playing zone coverage.
    Week 7 Defense (7) - Skrine INT
    QB Blake Bortles steps up in the pocket. At first, I think he's going to run it himself.
    Week 7 Defense (7) - Skrine INT
    Right as he gets to the line of scrimmage, Bortles suddenly lets loose a pass to his left. Almost mirror what FS Tashaun Gipson did for his second interception, this time it's CB Buster Skrine who is taking a chance and jumping the route. Skrine makes a great play on the ball to come away with the interception and keeping it a 10-6 game.

  26. Not Blaming Hoyer for Coming Up Short: The Browns finished up the third quarter with back-to-back completions of 19- and 15-yards to get past midfield.
    Week 7 Offense (15) - Hoyer's Throw Short
    For the third time in this game, what felt like a "first play" (due to it being the start of the quarter) was an attempt to get the ball deep down the field. WR Taylor Gabriel is running a very long developing route at the top of the screen.
    Week 7 Offense (15) - Hoyer's Throw Short
    QB Brian Hoyer bootlegs to his left again and is able to dodge a defender. As he gets to the sideline, Gabriel starts making his way toward the left sideline.
    Week 7 Offense (15) - Hoyer's Throw Short
    Hoyer has just released the ball here, and look how far Gabriel is from the spot.
    Week 7 Offense (15) - Hoyer's Throw Short
    This is a 50-yard pass that Hoyer couldn't get air under as he rolled out to his left, and it falls incomplete.

  27. Greco's "Opps" Moment: Facing a 4th-and-5 from the 43 yard line, the Browns sent the punt unit back on to the field. Then, they rushed the offense back on to the field. I personally felt the officials gave the Jaguars too much time to substitute -- they didn't allow the play to start until :02 were left on the play clock. Even then, there probably should have been a delay of game penalty called. Still, C John Greco snapped the ball and the Browns had no play ready. Chalk it up to his first game as the center? I don't know, because this is one of those "only in Cleveland" type of things, like the quick snap against the Bengals several years ago.

    I do defend the Browns' decision to try to draw the Jaguars offsides or make them burn a timeout. In fact, I was stunned they did not use their final timeout. The Browns' gaffe cost them field position. A punt could have potentially pinned the Jaguars back. Instead, they started their drive near midfield.

  28. There's the Hawk I Remember! The Browns' defense held strong again, and Cleveland got the ball back with 10 minutes left in the game.
    Week 7 Offense (16) - Hawk for 65 Yards
    Facing a 2nd-and-10 from the 6 yard line, the Browns nearly had a 90+ yard touchdown against the Jaguars for the second year in a row. WR Andrew Hawkins is the second receiver to the left of QB Brian Hoyer. His fake to the outside allows him to get open behind the defense.
    Week 7 Offense (16) - Hawk for 65 Yards
    Hoyer delivers a pass on the money, and then for the first time since joining the Browns, Hawkins is able to make one of his great open field moves.
    Week 7 Offense (16) - Hawk for 65 Yards
    Hawkins bends right past the safety and sprints down the field. The fan in me thinks he's going to take it all the way.
    Week 7 Offense (16) - Hawk for 65 Yards
    The defense catches up to Hawkins and is able to tackle him when he cuts this back to the inside. Nonetheless, it's a 65-yard gain that puts the Browns back in business.

  29. Blown Block Kills Rally: After Hawkins' big play, the Browns face a 1st-and-10 from the 29 yard line.
    Week 7 Offense (17) - McQuistan Blown Back
    The first play is a handoff to RB Isaiah Crowell. Hoyer hasn't even handed the ball off to Crowell yet, and not only has RG Paul McQuistan been blown back into Hoyer, he loses the DT Sen'derrick Marks, who hits Crowell immediately for a loss of four yards. Here is a video of McQuistan getting blown back.

  30. Hoyer Sacked, Benjamin Was Open: Now facing a 2nd-and-14, the Browns know they are probably looking for a touchdown instead of a field goal.
    Week 7 Offense (18) - Hoyer Sacked, Benjamin Open
    QB Brian Hoyer is going to be looking to his left on this play, perhaps trying to find TE Jordan Cameron on a corner route. Meanwhile, the Jaguars are going to sneakily bring two linebackers on somewhat of a delayed blitz.
    Week 7 Offense (18) - Hoyer Sacked, Benjamin Open
    Hoyer appears to be waiting for Cameron to make his break. Before he knows it, the linebackers will be right in his face. Coming underneath is WR Travis Benjamin on the left.
    Week 7 Offense (18) - Hoyer Sacked, Benjamin Open
    Hoyer ducks for cover here, taking a sack for a loss of 8 yards. If his read had been Benjamin, the catch-and-run over the middle might have led to a first down. Instead, he leads to another punt.

  31. Punt Miscue: With 6:12 left in the game, the Browns' defense did their job again, forcing the Jaguars to punt on 4th-and-3. That's where two special teams blunders happen on the same play. First, ILB Tank Carder jumps offsides, so Jacksonville has a first down guaranteed to drain more clock. Second, S Jordan Poyer muffs the punt at his own 2 yard line, and the Jaguars recover. Game over.

    I actually don't have a huge problem with the punt returner fielding this at the 2 yard line. We were looking for a spark, and the punt was a deep one, so Poyer would've probably gotten back to the 15 yard line at least with a clean catch. If he makes a nice move, maybe he goes all the way, who knows. Not securing the ball is the bigger issue.

  32. McQuistan Blown Up Again, Leads to INT: After an 8-yard touchdown run by RB Denard Robinson, the Browns were down 17-6 with 6:00 to go in the game.
    Week 7 Offense (19) - RG Again, INT
    As if we couldn't screw up any more, RG Paul McQuistan gets beat again, this time by DT Arby Jones. That's right -- everyone took their turn on the Jaguars' defensive line. Why not? It was a free stat booster.
    Week 7 Offense (19) - RG Again, INT
    QB Brian Hoyer is completing his dropback, and McQuistan has already been beaten badly.
    Week 7 Offense (19) - RG Again, INT
    Not wanting to take a sack, Hoyer tries to hit RB Ben Tate over the middle on a dumpoff.
    Week 7 Offense (19) - RG Again, INT
    The throw is behind Tate, but he's not exactly ready for a pass either. The pass bounces off Tate and into the hands of LB Telvin Smith for the interception. Two plays later, RB Storm Johnson adds another touchdown to put the Jaguars up 24-6.

  33. Special Teams Tackles: There were five special teams tackles, with two each from WR Marlon Moore and ILB Chris Kirksey and one from S Jordan Poyer.

  34. Snap Counts on Offense & Defense: If you missed them, here are the links to our snap count trackers for offense (link) and defense (link). On offense, TE Gary Barnidge only played one snap. On defense, newcomers Jacobbi McDaniel and Sione Fua got some reps on the defensive line.

  35. Brownies: The Browns were 4-of-17 (24%) on 3rd down. ... The Jaguars were 5-of-16 (31%) on 3rd down. ... Cleveland was 0-of-3 (0%) on 4th down. ... P Spencer Lanning was blasting the ball, averaging over 50 yards a punt on his 7 punts. ... WR Andrew Hawkins and LT Joe Thomas were credited with tackles on turnovers. ... Mike Pettine had a challenge that pretty clearly wasn't going to go in his favor in the first half. ... The Browns were able to stop a jet sweep play to WR Marqise Lee for minimal yardage.

Up next, the Browns take on the Oakland Raiders at home. Keep it tuned to Dawgs By Nature for our coverage leading up to the game!