The Cleveland Browns have been struck by another running back injury blow, as Jerome Ford, who admirably filled in for the injured Nick Chubb, is expected to miss 1-2 weeks due to a low-grade, high-ankle injury suffered during Sunday’s victory against the Colts, as reported by ESPN.
Prior to his injury, Ford had a solid performance, rushing for 74 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in Sunday’s game. In Week 6, he rushed for 84 yards on 17 carries during the Browns’ surprising win over the 49ers. When Nick Chubb was sidelined with an injury in Week 2, Ford stepped in and rushed for 106 yards on 16 carries in Cleveland’s game against Pittsburgh.
Browns Lose Jerome
Cleveland had the foresight to re-sign veteran Kareem Hunt shortly after Chubb’s season-ending injury. Hunt, a former league rushing champion, made a significant impact by running for two touchdowns in Sunday’s thrilling 39-38 victory over Indianapolis.
The Browns’ active roster currently includes only one more running back, Pierre Strong Jr., who was a fourth-round pick by the Patriots in 2022. Strong has gained 102 yards on 21 carries in six games this season.
In their upcoming game on Sunday, the Browns will face the Seattle Seahawks’ defense, which currently ranks sixth in the NFL in terms of rushing yards allowed. However, the Seahawks’ defense did yield 127 rushing yards during their recent victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
The Cleveland Browns have emerged as a captivating NFL team this season, and their allure extends beyond their formidable offense. While their offensive unit has undeniably displayed productivity, the true narrative revolves around their exceptional defense. The Browns have consistently stifled their adversaries, and their recent triumph over the formidable San Francisco 49ers eloquently attests to their defensive mastery.
The Browns’ defensive unit managed to restrict a team that had previously been averaging over 30 points per game this season to a mere 17 points. Although the San Francisco 49ers did manage to score a touchdown during their opening drive, beyond that, the Browns held them in a vice-like grip, except for a solitary 8-yard touchdown drive resulting from an interception.
As a consequence of their stellar defensive displays, the Browns found themselves perched atop the Defensive DVOA ratings, heading into Sunday, a position expected to strengthen further following their latest performance.
A cursory glance at the total points scored in Browns’ games – 27, 48 (with two defensive touchdowns by the Steelers), 30, 31, and 36 – underscores the point. Discounting those two defensive scores, the average total points in the Browns’ games is a modest 31.6 points per game, underlining a discernible pattern of low-scoring matchups.
Browns vs. Colts
The Browns’ clash with the Colts raises significant questions, the foremost being the potential participation of Deshaun Watson in leading the Colts’ offense. However, an equally pivotal query revolves around whether his presence will exert a substantial influence on the game’s outcome.
Watson has grappled with a challenging season and a troublesome rotator cuff injury, casting doubt on his ability to ignite the Colts’ offense against the formidable Browns’ defense. In this face-off, it’s entirely plausible that both teams may resort to their backup quarterbacks, P.J. Walker and Gardner Minshew, paving the way for a contest skewed toward the lower end of the scoring spectrum.
Gardner Minshew’s recent performance in the Browns’ game raises legitimate concerns, as he registered three interceptions and endured a strip sack, underscoring the significance of reliable quarterback play. Should both backup quarterbacks falter in their duties, the prospects of easy scoring opportunities for their respective teams appear grim.
Kevin Stefanski, the Browns’ head coach, boasts a noteworthy track record in games with a total under 44. In such scenarios, his teams have posted a commendable 13-6 record in favor of the under, underscoring a discernible inclination toward low-scoring affairs. Given the recent prowess of the Browns’ defensive unit and the plausible involvement of backup quarterbacks, the prudent choice seems to be a bet on the under for this game.
The initial selection and wager for this impending showdown favor the under with a set point total of 40.5. It’s worth noting that the total points projection has already begun to descend, dipping below 40 at certain sportsbooks. This drop in the projected point total indicates that a considerable number of bettors anticipate a low-scoring contest, aligning with the potential scenario of backup quarterbacks and the unwavering defensive might of the Browns.
While the uncertainty surrounding the starting quarterbacks and their efficacy looms large, the prevailing indicators point towards a game that tilts in favor of the under, presenting an enticing betting opportunity for those seeking value in this NFL encounter.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson (Credits: The Japan Times)
The primary quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, Deshaun Watson, will not be able to play on Sunday because his shoulder is hurt. He will miss a big and important game against the Baltimore Ravens. Ian Rapoport from the NFL Network made it known to everyone about this on Sunday morning. Later, the Browns told everyone that Watson was not allowed to play for a while.
With Watson out, rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson will kickstart his first career in the NFL. Watson participated in all three practices this week on a limited basis and was limited to one pitch in Friday’s practice. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski called Watson’s final practice “easy throwing.”
Deshaun Watson (Credits: Dawgs By Nature)
The Browns starter was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game and was not expected to play until early Sunday morning. Instead, Watson will miss his first game in Cleveland since serving an 11-game suspension last season.
Watson injured his shoulder in Cleveland’s Week 3 win over the Titans when the Browns quarterback was brought down on a read-option run by Amani Hooker in the third quarter. Through three games this season, Watson has completed 65 of 102 passes for 678 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Thompson-Robinson had an exciting preseason with the Browns, showcasing his ability to make accurate throws and play with his feet. DTR’s play was convincing enough to make the former UCLA QB the backup signal caller and trade Joshua Dobbs to the Arizona Cardinals.
In his first real game on Sunday, Thompson-Robinson will try to keep up with Lamar Jackson and the rest of Baltimore’s team.
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett Suffers Knee Injury in Game against Texans and Needs Tests
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett was sidelined with a knee injury in Sunday’s 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans. After the game, the only update from head coach Mike Tomlin was that Pickett needed an evaluation.
Kenny Pickett (Credits: Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pickett was injured in a fourth-down sack of Texas defensive end Jonathan Greenard late in the third quarter. Pickett needed help on the sideline but was quickly removed from the team.
The Steelers were losing 23-6, and then Mitchell Trubisky came in to play quarterback. Pickett, the previous QB, finished the game, having thrown 15 passes and succeeding with 23 of them for 114 yards, however he also got one interception.
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Browns' Quarterback Deshaun Watson (Credits: The New Yorker)
We are not sure if Deshaun Watson will be able to play an important game in his division this weekend. He might not be able to play in Cleveland’s Week 4 game against the Baltimore Ravens because his shoulder is hurt. Coach Kevin Stefanski talked about this on Friday.
On Friday, Watson only threw the ball once during practice before he had to stop and see a trainer, as reported by The Athletic’s Zac Jackson. Coach Stefanski said it was just some light throwing. When asked about Watson’s injury, Stefanski did not give away too much, but he did say they are taking it one day at a time to see how Watson feels.
“Stefanski was asked if he could tell us more about Watson’s injury. He jokingly said, “Do I really have to?” He compared it to how they handle injuries in hockey, saying they will go with whatever is mentioned in the official report.”
Watson was injured on a read option run in the third quarter of Sunday’s 27-3 win over the Titans, during which he gained 10 yards and ran over Titans defensive back Amani Hooker with his right shoulder. This caused complaints. Stefanski acknowledged this to be the case on Friday.
If Watson is unable to play Sunday, rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson will be in the starting lineup. When Watson spoke with Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com in the locker room after Friday’s session, he expressed his confidence that he would be ready in time for Sunday.
They Will Not Have to Change their Game Plan Too Much
If the Browns are forced to trade Thompson-Robinson, it would present an interesting scenario. The UCLA product showed signs of a bright future during preseason snaps, reinvigorating a Browns offense that had been largely stagnant with a backup lineup of Joshua Dobbs and Kellen Mond.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson (Credits: Raiders)
Thompson-Robinson, who brings great agility and improvisational skills, nearly found the frame on passes to backup Brown and developed a good rapport with current practice squad receiver Austin Watkins Jr.
If Watson cannot play and Thompson-Robinson steps in, Cleveland will see their backup quarterback in action. This was not what they planned just a week ago. The good thing is that they will not have to change their game plan too much because Thompson-Robinson has similar skills to Watson, which is why Watson is the main quarterback.
But for now, all eyes will be on Watson because everyone expects to see something positive or negative, whichever way.
