Browns QB Deshaun Watson has been both sacked and pressured more than any quarterback in the NFL through the first three weeks of the season.
Allowing 16 sacks and 57 pressures this season, not only has the Browns offense averaged just under 17 points per game, but they've also had issues protecting the quarterback. In Sunday's 21-15 loss to the Giants, Watson was sacked a career-high eight times and hit an additional nine times.
"Obviously, that's disappointing," head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday following the loss. "We have to be better there, and we will be better."
Even before starting LT Jedrick Wills Jr., starting RG Wyatt Teller and T James Hudson III left with injuries in the second half, Watson was brought down five times as the Giants blitzed for a majority of passing plays.
Stefanski wasn't interested in assigning blame when asked whether the high sack total was the fault of the offensive line or the quarterback they were protecting.
"When you're talking about protection, it's everybody," Stefanski said. "It's from myself, the coaches, the offensive line, tight ends, running backs, wide receivers, quarterbacks. Everybody has a job to do in order to keep the quarterback clean. So, I got to do my part. It's no secret we can't let him get hit that many times. That's not good enough and that will get fixed."
Check out photos of the Browns against the New York Giants in Week 3
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Kicker Dustin Hopkins (7) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (71) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Long snapper Charley Hughlett (47) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The offense during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34)during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) and Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The offense during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) and Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) ,Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54), and Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (72) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9), Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54), and Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) and Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) and Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Tight end Jordan Akins (88) and Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) and Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Tony Brown (38) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
The offense during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) and Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) and Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) and Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Running back Gary Brightwell (35) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during a NFL football game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns on September 22, 2024 at Huntington Bank Field.
Per Next Gen Stats, the Giants pressured Watson on 40.4 percent of total defensive snaps. They blitzed on 25 of 45 passing attempts, a 24 percent increase from their pass rush tendencies from the season's first two games.
"They definitely pressured more than they had in the first couple (games) but that was pretty apparent early that that was their game plan," Stefanski said. "So, you're always trying to figure out in these games what teams are going to lean into. Whether it's going to be more coverage, more pressure, whatever it may be. There's looks that you often see that you don't game plan for, especially early in the season, and then you just have to make the adjustment in game."
TE Jordan Akins noted that the Giants quickly leaned on the blitz to start the game, forcing the Browns to adjust how they approached the game.
"They definitely came out like smoking, man," Akins said. "They were blitzing left and right and once they saw that they were successful in it, they picked it up a little bit. So, we just had to make some adjustments, and we just can do a better job and execute it."
The offense did make improvements from the first to the second half. After tallying just 41 yards of offense in the first half, including yards lost due to sacks, Watson and the Browns had 176 yards in the second half.
However, mistakes throughout the second half prevented Cleveland from maximizing on an increase in offensive production.
After the defense got its first turnover of the season, K Dustin Hopkins missed a 53-yard field goal early in the third quarter. Two drives later, Watson ran to the New York 36-yard line, but LG Joel Bitonio, who was playing left tackle at the time, was flagged for offensive holding that negated the play.
Third down production was consistently an issue for the Browns, as the team converted just four of their 14 third down attempts. The average distance faced on third down was 8.5 yards.
"We have to be better there, and I think a lot of that you can be better on first and second down to help yourself on third down," Stefanski said. "I don't think we've been good enough on first and second down, been in some tough down and distances, or in that case, distances on third down. So that's just a matter of us playing better as an offense."
The Browns ran the ball just six times in the first half of Sunday's loss, with a 33 percent success rate. By that time, they were down 21-7 and the game script demanded an increase in passing plays as the Browns attempted to mount a comeback.
Akins said that a more developed rushing offense would open up room for the passing attack throughout the game.
"We gotta push the line of scrimmage and get positive yards, not just in the passing game, but in the running game as well. We have to establish the run game before we can go to the passing game," Akins said.
As the Browns look to rebound this week against the Raiders, they will rely on their depth at offensive line in order to better protect Watson and establish the run game. Stefanski told reporters Monday that Teller will miss “multiple weeks” with a knee injury and is a potential candidate for the injured reserve list.
"It's next man up mentality," Akins said. "Like I said, anybody can step up. We gotta prep them, we gotta get them ready for the game and, you know, just play with confidence. Being able to trust your brother to the left and the right that they're going to get the job done so that [Watson] can get that ball off or we can break big runs and influence the game as much as possible."
