Browns offense stifled by Dolphins defense
The Browns struggled to build an offensive rhythm over the course of the game, as they were held to just a field goal in the first half and scoreless in the second half. They turned the ball over on downs four times and had two turnovers – one on an interception and another on a fumble recovery.
Even when they did march down the field and get into the red zone, the Browns had miscues that kept them from converting and finding the end zone. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson – who had discussed during the week how Miami disguises their defense – saw how they forced the Browns into different situations over the course of the game.
“They caught us – I’d say three plays with pressure, that really gave us a headache,” Thompson-Robinson said. “Other than that, they were playing two-deep, five underneath the whole game. Whether they got to it through Invert, Tampa, whatever it was, they were sitting in a two-deep shell, making us try to take completions up and down the field. And again, that’s why it’s so important that each play, all guys are doing their job so we can continue to progress the ball down the field, including myself.”
To close out the third quarter, the Browns once again drove down the field, and kicked off the fourth quarter in the red zone. Cleveland went for it on fourth-and-3, where Thompson-Robinson tried to find WR Jerry Jeudy in the end zone. However, Jeudy had two defenders on him, and the pass was batted down by CB Jalen Ramsey to force a turnover on downs.
Thompson-Robinson threw just one interception over the course of the game, but struggled to protect the ball and connect with his receives. His lone interception came in the second quarter, when Thompson-Robinson’s pass intended for Jeudy was intercepted by LB Tyrel Dodson. Then, on the third quarter, Thompson-Robinson was sacked, and he fumbled the ball, which was recovered by the LB Emmanuel Ogbah.
Thompson-Robinson completed 24 of 47 passing attempts, and the Browns finished the game with 170 passing yards. Thompson-Robinson had a passer rating of 50.8.
“It’s frustrating especially on my part after harping on ball security all week,” Thompson-Robinson said. “It’s definitely a point of emphasis and it didn’t get done today.”
However, the Browns pass catchers also dropped numerous passes. Jeudy, who caught 12 of his 18 targets, said he knows the importance of making those plays and not having dropped passes in crucial moments.
“DT threw some great balls today. I just got to make a play on them and catch it. I feel like he did a great job. I just got to play better for him,” Jeudy said. “Those are crucial downs. The first one was a big, deep over route which I should’ve caught. It would’ve been a big play. The under on third down, I got to get those. And the bubbles man I just was too ready to make a play. I can’t have those drops in crucial moments like that.”