After a fourth consecutive game in which the Browns were held to under 20 points, G Wyatt Teller said the Browns offense needs to handle the little issues and then the big plays will come.
Against the Lions, the Browns’ offense showed potential on the first drive. QB Joe Flacco passed for 70 yards on 5 of 5 passing attempts and the Browns scored first to take a 7-0 lead. On the possessions following, Detroit held them out of the end zone and started to extend its lead. Even still, going into the fourth quarter, the Browns were down by 10 points and were within two possessions of the Lions.
“I feel like if we can play complementary football in all phases of the game, our defense is unbelievable,” Teller said. “The games have gotten away when it’s been late in the fourth quarter where we had a chance to win in the fourth and it got away.”
Stefanski said the offense’s performance four weeks into the season hasn’t been on just one person. He acknowledged the need for both the offense and the coaching staff to improve in order for the performances to turn around.
Teller believes the offense’s connection will come from explosive plays, and said they’ve been an inch away from big plays at times. He pointed to the Packers game where Green Bay’s defense held the Browns’ offense in check until the fourth quarter. With just under 10 minutes in the game, RB Quinshon Judkins broke off two double-digit yard runs, helping spark the Browns’ comeback win.
“So, as long as we can – not get moral victories I mean, obviously, we want to win the game – but ways of handling whatever the (defensive) front is doing or stuff like that,” Teller said. “I trust our coaches and I trust the guys we have in the room to get it done.”
The Browns added to the room on Sept. 29, trading for T Cam Robinson to help shore up the tackle position with a season-ending injury to T Dawand Jones and T Jack Conklin dealing with an elbow injury. Tackles Cornelius Lucas and KT Leveston started at tackle for the Browns against the Lions as a result.
Robinson provides another veteran presence to the room, currently in his ninth NFL season. He has played in 104 NFL games, starting in 102.
“I’ve not spoken to Cam just yet, but obviously he is a guy that we’re excited to bring in here,” Stefanski said. “We’ve had injuries at the position, so having guys that have started multiple games and played well is obviously an important part for us.”
Stefanski wasn’t committal when it came to whether Robinson would play this week in London against the Vikings. However, even with the cross-Atlantic trip, Teller wasn’t concerned about being able to get Robinson up to speed. The Browns guard cited the similarities that being an offensive lineman in the NFL can hold, going from team to team, especially with Robinson being in the league for multiple years.
“Techniques might change a little bit, and jargon might change, but for the most part, it’s pretty much the same,” Teller said. “So, having a guy who has experience and able to step in and help us is paramount.”