Browns’ offensive snap counts, stats, and notes: Week 13

Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on offense for the Cleveland Browns’ Week 13 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

• The two turnovers for Baker Mayfield obviously hurt the Browns, but the context of both turnovers weren’t ones where I blame Mayfield for the loss. I thought he was sharp in the first half with his throws, helping Cleveland to sustain two long drives. When the Browns had the interception in the fourth quarter, I thought he made a good throw to Jarvis Landry on first down that would’ve put the ball a few yards away from the end zone — but the defender knocked it free.
• The bigger story was that Mayfield was under duress for much of the game. After being kept relatively clean against the same defense two weeks ago, Mayfield was sacked 5 times and hit 7 times. Chris Hubbard and Justin McCray struggled with edge pressure, but some blame also has to go with the playcalling. Cleveland knew that was Pittsburgh’s strength, yet didn’t adjust enough for it.

• For the first time this season, Kareem Hunt out-snapped Nick Chubb. Cleveland didn’t run very much in the second half, and head coach Freddie Kitchens regretted not running the ball on first down after the interception. It’s a tricky balance of staying within the gameplan vs. going for the kill when you have momentum, and it didn’t work out.
• Hunt had some great runs to get yards after the catch, and was PFF’s highest-graded Browns player on offense:

• After a dazzling first half by Jarvis Landry, the Browns’ receivers were kept quiet in the second half. The interception on the final drive has been analyzed, with the perception that Mayfield expected Landry to continue his route upfield while Landry bent it inward.
• Rashard Higgins was targeted three times, but didn’t come away with a catch. Near the end of the first half, Mayfield did a good job evading pressure, and fired the ball to Higgins downfield. The throw was low, in the dirt, and Higgins tried to make a diving catch. It’s a situation where I wish both players could have done better — a higher throw makes it a catch, but I want Higgins to dig that ball out regardless. If that catch is made, Cleveland’s drive continues, and the game could’ve been 10-3, 13-3, or maybe 17-3 at the half.

• Demetrius Harris tried to go sky-high for a pass in the end zone, but when he hit the ground, the ball came loose. Cleveland had to settle for a field goal instead, which changes the level of aggressiveness the Browns had to deploy on their other drives.
• Stephen Carlson was targeted twice on slant routes. On the first one, he delivered a great stiff arm to get yards after the catch. On the second one, it was a simultaneous reception with the defensive back, which in that case goes to the offense.
• Ricky Seals-Jones wasn’t targeted. David Njoku figures to return against the Bengals.

• With Greg Robinson dealing with a concussion, Justin McCray made his second start of the season at left tackle.
• Is it time we take a look at someone else at right tackle? Chris Hubbard just isn’t cutting it in pass protection, and he definitely isn’t the team’s future at the position.