On Sunday, the victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars helped the Cleveland Browns cement their place as the first AFC Wild Card team into the playoffs. The team’s performance, led by veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, has re-energized the fanbase and garnered the attention of the national media.
It’s important to note what the Browns have accomplished this season. The team has been besieged by injuries all season losing multiple starters. The Browns are 8-5 while playing four different quarterbacks. They have the best defense in the league heading into the final months.
This week’s Data Dump will show the team recovering under the direction of Flacco. His 89 passing attempts over the past two games have marked a radical shift in the Browns’ modus operandi of running the ball down a team’s throat. With four games left in the season, the Browns’ offense is finally finding its stride heading into the playoffs.
The Browns’ historically great defense recovered nicely against the Jaguars after a bad trip out west. The unit is once again the unquestioned best in the league. The team will need to retain that position over the next month. The Browns’ playoff success will depend on them.
Jaguars Recap
The Browns and Jaguars had a hard-fought game largely decided by turnovers. This is the first Browns’ game all season when their pass rate is expected to climb above five percent. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has a lot of confidence in Flacco’s arm. He’s not afraid of letting Flacco throw to win games.
NFL Week 14 – Advanced Stats Review
Jacksonville Jaguars 27 – Cleveland Browns 31 pic.twitter.com/o0WrJOM9BF
— SumerSports (@SumerSports) December 11, 2023
Browns stay in tier 5
The Browns remained in tier-five of the NFL rankings. Scoring 31 points didn’t elevate the offense enough to bump up a tier. A good showing against the Bears on Sunday could change that.
~~ 14 weeks into the NFL season ~~
Cowboys-Bills this weekend will arguably showcase the 2nd and 3rd best teams in the NFL pic.twitter.com/PUTDq6Gew7
— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) December 12, 2023
Browns are forcing the most punts
The Browns’ defense is impossible to move against. The team is forcing teams to punt in over a quarter of their drives.
How hard it is to earn a first down against each defense.
It's going to take so long to get used to seeing the Falcons defense as top 5 in any metric. Too bad about their offense… pic.twitter.com/wH4Z25Bx9z
— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) December 12, 2023
Offensive efficiency on early downs
In the past two games under Joe Flacco, the Browns’ rushing offense began to falter due to injuries on the offensive line. Thankfully, the Browns are passing the ball well on early downs.
Rushing and passing efficiency on early downs
The Titans/Seahawks/Cowboys overlapping is WILD to me pic.twitter.com/TvkcVlTWj9
— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) December 12, 2023
Browns are the best in the trenches
This is my favorite metric as it combines the subjective grading of PFF with the tracking data from ESPN. Together it paints a more complete picture of the trenches. The Browns are struggling on offense as injuries have decimated the unit.
All trench measures from PFF / ESPN
Cowboys pass rush good pic.twitter.com/0G0kR5dwqJ
— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) December 12, 2023
