Browns' Offensive Snap Counts and Stats vs. Redskins

Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on offense for the Cleveland Browns' Week 4 game against the Washington Redskins.

Quarterback

Cody Kessler was leading a very efficient game for the Browns. His work on third down was commendable, as he helped lead the team to an 8-of-12 (67%) success rate. There were several times he faced a heavy blitz in the line, but calmly found the free receiver to dump the pass off to so they could run for the first down.

Had it not been for the series of fumbles on back-to-back drives by running backs, I think we'd be talking about Kessler's first win as a pro. The interception was probably a tad behind Terrelle Pryor, but let's not get down on him too much: quarterbacks are going to throw interceptions, and this was his first, coming against arguably one of the game's best cornerbacks in Josh Norman. The big criticism we can have about Kessler is still there still isn't much of a threat on him pushing the ball downfield, which would help open the offense up more with things like bubble screens.

Running Back

The distribution at running back would have been about even again this week, but Cleveland being behind late in the game forced Duke Johnson to be on the field as a receiving back. This game featured Isaiah Crowell as a man on a mission. He was breaking tackles, finding the hole, and ready to deliver a win. Both times he came out for a rest in the second half, though, Malcolm Johnson and then Duke Johnson fumbled. Washington capitalized with a touchdown scoring drive after the first one, and the second one helped changed field position which eventually led to another scoring drive.

Wide Receiver

We saw Terrelle Pryor win some battles against Josh Norman in the first half, but the tides were turned in the second half with Pryor getting the best of Norman. One thing I've seen with Pryor over the past couple of weeks is that on these crossing routes, he often comes back to the quarterback a little too much, attempting to rely on his speed to turn the corner and get a first down. I'm not so sure that's necessary. Andrew Hawkins and Ricardo Louis didn't drop any passes, so I can't complain about the jobs they did. Rashard Higgins wasn't targeted in limited snaps, and Jordan Payton did not see the field.

Tight End

This was a season-high in catches for Gary Barnidge, but several of them came as dumpoff passes in garbage time. Randall Telfer was briefly rolled up on during a swing pass to Isaiah Crowell but appeared to be OK.

Offensive Line

The offensive line allowed 1 sack and 8 quarterback hits. Austin Reiter made his debut at center with John Greco going back to right guard. Late in the game, though, Reiter suffered a potentially serious knee injury. That moved Greco back over to center, and with Alvin Bailey being punished, Spencer Drango entered the game at right guard.