Browns’ offensive snap counts, stats, and notes: Week 14

Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on offense for the Cleveland Browns’ Week 14 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

• It was a good opening drive for Baker Mayfield, up until the pass for David Njoku that had the weird fumble/interception ruling. Mayfield has shown some nice touch on passes over the past several games, but seemed to be back to ripping the ball a little too hot against the Bengals. Before the game, I mentioned how Mayfield threw 7 touchdowns to 0 interceptions against Cincinnati last year. In one game this year, with supposedly much more weapons, he threw 0 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
• I did like the two instances in which Mayfield took off and ran for a first down and touchdown, respectively. It is an element of his game that defenses don’t account for, but that he doesn’t utilize enough.
• The number one play I hated in the game was late in the fourth quarter, when Mayfield had his running back open in the flat for a first down, but decided to stand in and take a hit so he could fire one downfield to Jarvis Landry. Yes, it was a good throw (even though it was ultimately ruled incomplete), but we need to be smart with the situation. All we need there is sure first downs, and the short pass had a much higher chance of being completed to put the game away.

• The Browns gave Nick Chubb, the league’s leading rusher, 3 carries for 7 yards in the first half against the worst run defense (statistically) in the NFL. Thankfully, Freddie Kitchens made the clear-as-day halftime adjustment and ran the ball on the first four plays, which led to gains of 6, 2, 7, and then 57 yards on the ground. Kareem Hunt finished the drive off with a touchdown run.
• Once again, the two-back system worked for Cleveland. If only Cleveland could look on film at some of the stuff the 49ers did with their motion and implement it with more regularity.

• The Browns’ highest-graded offensive player was Jarvis Landry, who is now 5 yards shy of 1,000 for the season.

• Odell Beckham had 2 catches for 39 yards. After a couple of good weeks, we seem to be back to not being able to get Beckham involved in the gameplan enough. The one play they keep going to is that quick slant, which can work at times, but seems to be way overused and often lead to tipped balls or near-interceptions.
• Rashard Higgins is apparently back in the doghouse. He had just one snap all game, which came on the onside kick at the end of the game. Damion Ratley and KhaDarel Hodge each saw reps ahead of him, but neither had a catch.

• With David Njoku returning and Demetrius Harris out with an injury, the leading tight end in snaps was Stephen Carlson at 73%. Njoku was targeted on the first series, but had the play that was ruled a fumble/interception. Now, don’t get me wrong, it should have been ruled a catch. However, the play is a perfect example of the frustration with Njoku too — odd things seem to happen when the ball goes his way, and he can’t relax to the point where he’s letting the ball go as he hits the ground.
• Ricky Seals-Jones had his first catch in weeks and was wide open. He’s had a few plays this season where defenses just leave him unguarded.

• With Chris Hubbard out, veteran Kendall Lamm got the start at right tackle. Cleveland allowed 1 sack and 4 quarterback hits on the day, and Freddie Kitchens said that he thought it was the best game of the season for the offensive line: