Alarming statistics show Browns QB Deshaun Watson has been historically bad

Cleveland Browns Fans are no strangers to poor quarterback play. However, they have probably never experienced anything worse in the first five weeks of the 2024 season Deshaun Watson.

According to statistics shared by Austin Gayle The alarm clock Watson’s average expected point gain of -0.3 over five games is the lowest of any Browns quarterback in Weeks 1-5 since the turn of the century.

Expected Points Added is a newer analytical statistic that attempts to capture how well a team’s player is performing compared to expectations. Essentially, it attempts to quantify the nuances of game play by relating each play to how much it increases (or decreases) a team’s chances of scoring.

Watson coming back negative is certainly alarming. However, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced after the team’s 34-13 loss Commanders that he is not considering a QB change.

To be fair, Watson’s offensive teammates didn’t do him any favors. Cleveland continues to be plagued by pre-snap penalties and dropped passes on a weekly basis, in addition to the fact that the offensive line has offered little resistance to opposing defensive lines. The Browns’ O-line has allowed 26 sacks in that five-week span.

As a unit, Cleveland ranks last in the NFL in third down conversion percentage (20.75%), they are near the bottom of the league in points per game (15.8), while they are near the bottom of the league in total yards per game (207.2) also fall back to last place)

In comparison, the Browns team that went 1-15 in 2016 averaged 16.5 points per game, a 36.3% third-down conversion rate and 311 yards per game. The winless 2017 team averaged 14.6 points per game, posted a 33% third-down conversion percentage and 308 yards per game.