3 key takeaways from the Browns’ loss to the Cowboys

Browns can hardly find their offensive rhythm

The Browns were unable to establish offensive flow in their first game with QB Deshaun Watson at the helm, ending their first offensive drive with a 51-yard field goal by K Dustin Hopkins.

Still, the Browns had four consecutive three-and-outs after their first offensive drive. In total, they had seven possessions in which they had to punt.

Watson was sacked six times and hit 17 times overall during the game. He also threw two interceptions – one in the second quarter when his pass was deflected by LB Micah Parsons and intercepted by LC Eric Kendricks, and a second interception in the fourth quarter on a pass intended for WR Elijah Moore but caught by CB Trevon Diggs.

Stefanski said Watson took too many hits today and they need to protect the quarterback better.

“I think there are things that I know we can do better, things that you could see right away weren’t the way we wanted to do them,” Stefanski said. “But we had a lot of time to prepare, we just didn’t get it done today.”

The Browns also lost the ball in the third quarter and again early in the fourth quarter due to downs.

The Browns reached the end zone twice in the second half, starting with their first touchdown of the season in the third quarter when Watson completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. On that possession, the Browns ran 12 plays for 75 yards to set up the touchdown. It was also Jeudy’s first touchdown as a member of the Browns. They closed the game with a 2-yard touchdown run by running back Jerome Ford late in the fourth quarter.