Cleveland Browns: No. 1-Ranked Run Game Takes Pressure Off Quarterback Jacoby Brissett
The Browns (2-1) have an offensive formula that’s working.
Cleveland has the NFL’s No. 1-ranked rushing attack through three weeks, averaging 190.7 yards per game. Nick Chubb leads the league in rushing (341 yards), taking pressure off backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who’s playing well as Deshaun Watson serves his 11-game suspension.
Chubb has been among the league’s top running backs for several years, but might be haiving his best start. Cleveland’s opponents have been unable to contain the one-two combination of Chubb and Kareem Hunt (151 yards, 4.2 yards per carry).
“If you can’t slow down Chubb, you can’t beat this group,” Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said via Kevin Patra of NFL.com following last week’s loss to Cleveland. “Nick Chubb controlled the game. He was running through arm tackles and things of that nature, getting yards after contact.”
Brissett also deserves credit for being more than just a game manager during Watson’s absence. Over the past two games, Brissett has completed 74.1 percent of his passes with a quarterback rating of 106.2. He’s making plays and avoiding mistakes, and the Browns have a chance to win their third game this month when they visit the Falcons in Week 4.
“He’s done great for us. He’s just a charismatic, natural leader. He has a standard that he wants to play to and that he wants to hold guys to. It’s cool to see,” All-Pro left guard Joel Bitonio said via Mary Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal. “He’s been around some of the great quarterbacks in the game, and I think he just carries himself that way.”
