Before discussing the Cleveland Browns 2024 strategies, a quick review of the Cleveland Browns vs Houston January 13, 2024 playoff game is in order. While Houston totally dominated the 2nd half, there was a play in the first half that seemed to change the flow of the game. An obvious pass interference call against Houston was not called, Flacco even looked up to the review booth and waited for a review that never came. Browns punted, and what was a 17-14 game was suddenly 24-14 in favor of Houston when both teams had been trading scores prior to this strangely ignored and unreviewed pass interference call.
Flacco has a desperate gear he will invoke when the game looks dangerously close to being lost. We saw it in the game where the Browns rallied and would have tied the score with about 5 minutes left in the game except the extra point was missed. What would have been a tie turned into Flacco throwing a desperation interception on the next possession trying to get the game tied again.
We basically witnessed the same situation once that pass interference call was not called. However, it should also be noted not having Nick Chubb finally caught up with the Browns, as did not having their best secondary defender available, and Amarie Cooper not 100% for this game, all of these key losses made a difference.
However, there is something the Browns could do for next season to notch up their offense a gear. I'd like to see Dorian Thompson Robinson line up from the running back spot every so often. I think DTR in the backfield along with a second running back might have wreaked havoc against the Texans defense. Although DTR is going to need to put on some muscle this off season so he can be tackled when he does decide to run without fear of injury.
Flacco pitching, or not pitching the football to DTR still allows for all kinds of creative offensive options which most likely would have opened up the running game to go along with what still was an effective wide receiving game. Instead, once the running game was shut down, Flacco managed to squeeze one pass between 3 Houston Defenders, but soon after there were TWO, not one one, but TWO interceptions for touchdowns by Houston Defenders which probably does not happen if the Pass interference call had been called, or if DTR was available to play and play out of the backfield as a second pass and run option as a way to freeze the Houston Defense in the 2nd half.
Early in the season I had suggested using DTR as a gadgets play QB for specific situations and the Browns ended up trying this strategy a couple of times. I regret it took watching this playoff game loss to realize DTR in the backfield every now and then could be a potent offensive strategy to invoke whenever the running game is thwarted.
I wish Flacco could be brought back as a second option, with DTR in the backfield part of the time, for whenever Deshaun Watson needs a break. The idea of the 16 game QB has for the most part become a myth. Having a second option at QB that also uses 2 QB's from time to time could be the elixer that helps keep everyone healthy for a possible 2024 playoff run. I don't understand the QB eligibilty rule, but I have heard that teams can only have 2 QB's available per game, if that is true, I think it is time to change that rule. However, DTR could always be listed as a running back as a way around only being allowed to use 2 QB's per game.
Los Angeles Emmy winning Producer Alessandro Machi combines his editing, camera and observational skills to provide unique insights into the World of Sports.
