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In a clash of divisional rivals, the Cleveland Browns succumbed to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 15-10 loss in Week 8 action. With a banged-up squad, Kevin Stefanski and his team couldn't pull off a victory at home, which dropped them to a 4-4 record for last place in the AFC North.
Certainly enough, there are a lot of things that the Browns can still improve on, especially on the offensive end. The team's role players will also have to step up in order to give the squad a greater chance of winning despite the injuries being suffered by several players in the past weeks.
After a subpar showing, the Browns must get back to the drawing board and regroup before they face another divisional rival in the Cincinnati Bengals next weekend.
3 takeaways from Browns' Week 8 defeat vs. Steelers
3. Odell Beckham Jr. has to be more involved
After suffering a season-ending ACL injury in 2020, many thought Odell Beckham Jr. would bounce back and finally break out for the Browns this season. However, he has yet to get acclimated back to the swing of things, as proven by his limited touches on offense through eight games in 2021.
Against the Steelers, the three-time Pro Bowler only recorded six yards on a lone catch for the Browns. Yes, he is currently nursing a shoulder injury, which limited him in practices over the past week. However, the Browns must still find a way to get him open looks, maximize his capabilities, and allow him to make plays on the field.
With his low production in Week 8, one can only think how much the Browns' offensive attack could've changed if Beckham was more involved. The receiver's performance against the Steelers surely won't work if Cleveland wants to keep up in the scoring department against future opponents.
2. The Browns' running game didn't perform up to standards
The Browns had already suffered a blow with the injury to Kareem Hunt, who sustained a strained calf in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals. While Nick Chubb returned to action to team up with D'Ernest Johnson, Cleveland didn't get the job done on the ground.
The Browns were limited to 93 rushing yards on 23 attempts, which is a far cry from their league-leading average of 170.4 rushing yards per game heading into this contest. Nick Chubb, who also missed time due to a calf injury, only produced 61 yards on 16 carries in his first game back.
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As the RB1 of the team, Chubb must find a way to sustain their ground game even without his running mate in Hunt. Backup running back D'Ernest Johnson must also continue to find ways to contribute and make smart plays on the field.
Hopefully, the rushing unit will get to raise their level of production in the coming weeks as they await the return of Hunt in the near future.
1. Offensive line must step up
Another depleted group of the Browns is their offensive line, which just lost right tackle Jack Conklin to a dislocated elbow in Week 8. Guard Blake Hance eventually filled in the hole and played both tackle spots against the Steelers.
Certainly enough, the line wasn't the same without the presence of its starting right tackle. With Conklin projected to miss the next few games, the line must find a way to step up and execute in the trenches starting in Week 9 against the Bengals.
Additionally, Baker Mayfield's nagging shoulder injury also poses a greater challenge to the linemen since they have to do a better job of protecting their quarterback under center. If the Browns' offensive line holds their ground amid Conklin's injury, the team will still be able to set up their offense properly and execute their schemes on the field in the weeks to come.
