There are multiple factors contributing to the Cleveland Browns' struggles this season. Their offensive line has been plagued by injuries, with key players in and out of the lineup each week. They've also been without star running back Nick Chubb, which has hampered their ability to control the ground game. Plus, their defense, once expected to be among the league's best, has underperformed and hasn't been as dominant as anticipated, failing to impose its usual pressure on opposing offenses.
But the real reason the Browns are 1-4 on the year is because of the historically poor performance of Deshaun Watson at quarterback. In Week 1, Watson posted a dismal QBR of 8.3 and averaged just 2.6 yards per pass attempt against the Cowboys. Throughout the first five weeks of the season, he has failed to exceed 200 passing yards in any game, and Cleveland’s offense has yet to reach 20 points in a single contest.
As the most critical position on the field, Watson’s struggles have had a ripple effect across the offense, most notably wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Cooper is a five-time Pro Bowler with six 1,000-yard seasons, yet he’s seen his production plummet with just 208 receiving yards through five games.
While it might be easy to point fingers at Cooper’s declining numbers, the reality is that Watson’s inaccuracy is a major factor.
A staggering 45% of Watson’s passes to Cooper have been “off target,” meaning the receiver hasn’t had a fair chance to make a play. This off-target rate is alarmingly high, and according to advanced stats, no quarterback with 40+ targets has had such an inaccuracy rate since at least 2011.
How do the Browns fix this issue? Bench Watson and start backup quarterback Jameis Winston.
Winston hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2019 when he led the league with 5,109 passing yards and 33 touchdowns. He’s known for his strong arm and aggressive downfield passing, which would provide Cooper with more accurate deep-ball opportunities.
Winston’s 30 interceptions that year were also a league-high, but given the Browns' current struggles, his risk-taking could spark life into their stagnant offense.
Cleveland continues to back Watson, likely because of his hefty guaranteed contract, but if losses pile up due to Watson’s poor play, we may see Winston under center. When that happens, look for Cooper's receiving props to be undervalued, as I’d expect an immediate boost with Winston throwing him the ball.
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