10/27 Opening Drive: Stefanski Should Use Bye Week To Make QB Switch; Injuries and Myles Garrett
Despite Stefanski's commitment to Gabriel, self scouting and extra time over the bye week should change his mind.
The Browns needed a victory in New England on Sunday to strengthen their chances of competing in the AFC North race. They started strong by limiting the Patriots to a field goal on the game’s opening drive. The Browns then executed a well-organized six-play, 70-yard drive, featuring a 31-yard end-around run by Malichi Corley, along with passes of 19 and 18 yards to Harold Fannin Jr., the latter resulting in a touchdown that gave the Browns a 7-3 lead.
With 1:31 remaining in the first quarter, the Browns had an opportunity to extend their lead after Carson Schwesinger intercepted Drake Maye, setting them up for a field goal attempt. However, Andre Szmyt missed the 47-yard attempt to the left. The Patriots responded with two field goals before halftime, taking a 9-7 lead, but the game still felt within reach for the Browns.
However, that feeling quickly dissipated as the third quarter possessions went like this:
Browns: Punt
Patriots: Touchdown
Browns: Interception
Patriots: Touchdown
Browns: Interception
Patriots: Interception
The Browns entered the fourth quarter trailing 30-7, despite having a 7-6 lead with just two seconds left in the first half. On Sunday, the Browns’ run game was ineffective, totaling only 68 yards on 16 attempts. The passing game was productive only on the initial drive and in garbage time, predominantly targeting the tight ends.
Stefanski and The Offense
When Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about his defense, he told Andrew Callahan of The Boston Herald, “When their gimmick plays ran out, we played pretty good defense.”
This had been a common theme during Stefanski’s tenure. There have been multiple games in which the scripted plays in the first few series generated the team’s only productive offense of the game.
The Browns are now 5-20 since the beginning of last season, and they are operating the worst offense in the league again. Gabriel completed 21 of 35 passes for 156 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions against the Patriots in his fourth NFL start.
According John Kosko, here are Gabriel’s passing grades per week (pending week 8 review).
W5 63.5
W6 52.5
W7 48.6
W8 38.4
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Gabriel is the lowest-graded passer in the NFL, has the worst uncatchable throw rate, is lowest in Big Time Throws, 3rd-worst in Turnover-Worthy Plays, lowest in positive grade rate, and 2nd-worst in rhythm throw rate.
After the game, Stefanski was asked if he would stick with Gabriel after the bye week, and he said that he would, but later said they would evaluate everything during their week off.
“I just want to make the point that we just have to be better in every area, and we’ll look at everything we do, including how we’re putting these guys in position to succeed,” Stefanski said. “Are we doing enough? When I say looking at every position, are we doing enough with the quarterback position? Do we need to do a better job? And I think I know the answer is yes.”
The Gabriel experiment has run its course, and it is not clear what they gain by continuing to play him at this point. The decision to give Shedeur Sanders his opportunity to start is coming; when exactly that happens depends on Stefanski’s evaluation of when he is ready based on his progress and performance in practice.
Regardless of who is playing the quarterback position, they will encounter the difficulties associated with leading a bad offense. However, Gabriel has struggled to establish a connection with the Browns’ wide receivers, which likely involves shortcomings from both sides. Additionally, he has been unable to effectively push the ball downfield.
Let’s be clear. Sanders may struggle to the same level as Gabriel and it is certainly not an ideal scenario for a rookie quarterback but it cannot get much worse than what Gabriel has done. I am of the belief that Sanders will at least attempt to make plays down the field and give his receivers a chance.
As soon as the Browns think Sanders is healthy and ready to start, they should give him his shot. The problem is that the surrounding cast remains the same and could hold back his ability to find success as well. However, it has become clear that Gabriel is not allowing the Browns to even threaten explosive plays, and it’s possible that Sanders could make more of the opportunities.
This bye week presents an ideal opportunity to make a change, allowing for additional practice reps and a game plan that Sanders feels comfortable with. It could also provide a boost in the locker room as the team returns from their time off to face a winnable game against the Jets. A victory with Sanders in Week Ten would give the Browns something to rally around.
Sanders missed Sunday’s game with back tightness but told ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi, he would be “good” after the bye week. He did go through a 15-minute pregame workout, including some light jogging and a passing exercise, which was overseen by quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave, prior to the inactives being announced.
With the bye week comes what will be an unpleasant self-scouting process undergone by all teams during their week off, so they can identify every way they can be better in the second half of the season. While there is no doubt the Browns are void of much-needed talent on the offensive side of the ball, Stefanski’s stated decision to stick with Gabriel when they return in week ten against the Jets will certainly be revisited in the coming days. It is certainly possible that things could change regarding how they proceed at the quarterback position after the bye week.
Injury Notes:
CB Tyson Campbell – Head injury protocol – Ruled out for game
RB Quinshon Judkins – Shoulder – Ruled out for game
S Rayshawn Jenkins – Groin – Ruled out for the game
LB Carson Schwesinger – Ankle – Did not return to game
TE Harold Fannin Jr. – Undisclosed – Did not return to game
According to Ian Rapaport, LB Carson Schwesinger will have an MRI, but those are typically 4-6 week injuries. He left the locker room in a boot. Judkins declined to speak to the media after the game.
Myles Garrett
Myles Garrett did everything he could to slow down New England’s offense. The superstar edge rusher for set a franchise record with five sacks in a single game. With his first sack, Garrett achieved another NFL milestone by surpassing Reggie White for the most career sacks before turning 30. He entered the game just half a sack behind White’s total of 108. Garrett also moved up from 33rd to 27th on the NFL’s official all-time sacks leaderboard.
The 2023 Defensive Player of the Year entered the game with five sacks this season, and he now ties Brian Burns for the NFL lead after securing his eighth consecutive season with double-digit sacks. With nine games remaining, Garrett has the opportunity to pursue his career high of 16 sacks, which he achieved in 2021, while also striving for his fifth first-team All-Pro selection.
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