si
The Cleveland Browns are still a work in progress after a strong start to the 2026 NFL season. Following a 3-1 beginning, the team came back down to earth with a 17-12 road loss to the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, October 11. Although they were considered underdogs, the offense's struggles were evident, and head coach Todd Monken acknowledged the team's shortcomings.
"It comes down to making the other team play their best. And I don't think we did that today," Monken said after the game. The weather conditions in New Jersey contributed to the issues, but a more significant concern has persisted for weeks: the offensive line's inability to protect the quarterback and create running room.
For the first time since joining the Browns, quarterback Deshaun Watson has looked like a mobile threat, frequently moving in the pocket, scrambling for extra yards, and connecting with receivers on the run. In Sunday's loss, he completed 15 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown. However, he was sacked eight times, and the offense failed to convert on all 12 third-down attempts. The Jets' defense consistently pressured Watson, exposing the offensive line's weaknesses.
"It's coaching. It's playing, it's getting the ball out of our hands. It's protection," Monken said when asked about the sacks. "It's all the above. We all gotta take a big freaking bite of this."
On the season, Watson has been sacked 19 times. In the Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, he was sacked five times, but the line seemed to improve by holding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, and Pittsburgh Steelers to two sacks each. Nevertheless, with a less mobile quarterback, the line would likely be surrendering even more sacks.
Rookies Austin Barber and Spencer Fano have shown promise, elevating a position group that underwent significant offseason changes, but plenty of work remains. The line's struggles have also hindered the running game. Lead running back Quinshon Judkins has had a surprisingly slow start. Against the Jets, he rushed 14 times for just 44 yards, averaging 3.1 yards per carry. For the season, he has 221 yards on 73 carries with one touchdown, barely averaging over 3.0 yards per attempt.
"You're going to put yourself in that position when you can't run the football," Monken continued. "We weren't able to run the football today. We were behind the sticks the whole day and we made a few plays, some to get back on track and some third downs that gave us a chance. But we were never comfortable calling it or playing. And that's not a recipe for success."
Moving forward, the Browns must improve their offensive line play, not only for Watson but also for Judkins and the rest of the running back room. The team returns to action on Sunday, October 18, for a Week 6 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at 1:00 p.m. EST. To maintain their lead in the AFC North, they will need to make significant adjustments.
Key Analysis
The Browns' offensive line has been a glaring weakness, consistently failing to protect Watson and open holes for Judkins. This has put immense pressure on the passing game and stifled the running attack, making the offense one-dimensional. If the line cannot improve, the Browns' early-season success may fade, and their AFC North lead could be in jeopardy. The upcoming game against the Ravens will be a critical test of whether they can address these issues.