Has Stefanski learned his lesson, or will he abandon the run once again?

Browns fans appreciated some joy last week as the Browns broke their three-game losing streak, beating the Miami Dolphins 31-6. The Browns checked a lot of boxes on all 3 phases: turnovers on defense, a turnover and perfect kicking on special teams, and the offense finally scoring over 17 points for the first time in 11 games.

While this moment was amazing for many, it's back to reality this week as the Browns travel to New England to face the leader in the AFC East. The Patriots boast a great run defense as they are top five in the NFL in rush yards allowed, yards per carry, and rushing touchdowns. The question is did Kevin Stefanski learned his lesson, or will he abandon the run game once again?

Browns need to stick with run game to win Week 8 versus Patriots

Abandoning the run has always been a fault of Stefanski throughout his coaching career in Cleveland. Even in bad weather, he’s gone pass heavy. Against New Orleans in 2022, the Browns' pass attempts nearly doubled the Saints in a 17-10 loss, in a game that was six degrees and had 35 miles per hour winds.

More recently, against the Dolphins last year, Stefanski elected to pass 46 times with a third-string quarterback in the pouring rain. So when he decided to make Quinshon Judkins the focal point of the offense on Sunday, it came as a bit of a surprise. Judkins ended the day with a hat trick, scoring three touchdowns, including a 46-yarder where he found daylight.

Now, establishing the run isn’t just about attempts; it's about the timing of the attempts as well. In five of the seven games this year, the Browns' offense has opened up with a pass. This makes no sense as one, they have a banged-up offensive line that is constantly rotating guys in and out. This Sunday will be the first time Cleveland will play back-to-back games with the same starting offensive line.

Secondly, they have what some call the worst wide receiving corps in the NFL. Per Football Focus, their leading receiver, Jerry Jeudy, leads the NFL with seven drops. Also, if you fail on first down, you’re now playing behind the sticks and making second and third down more predictable.

It's very clear, even though every opposing defense tries to fully scheme against him, Judkins is the best player the Browns have on offense. In two of the three best-scoring games the Browns have had this season, Judkins has touched the ball over 20 times. His 467 rushing yards are hard-earned as well, as per PFF, 89.9% of those yards have come after contact. Defenses are consistently hitting him in the backfield, but he’s still producing at a high level.

Stefanski needs to be realistic about his quarterback situation as well. While he hasn’t turned the ball over, Dillon Gabriel has averaged 175 passing yards in his three starts and has gone three weeks without throwing a touchdown. He hasn’t proven he can stretch the field either, as he’s only attempted four passes of 20 yards or more and completed only one of them. We all saw what happened when he was asked to carry this offense in Pittsburgh; the Browns had their lowest scoring output of the season as they only put up three field goals.

Stefanski will be tempted to go back to his old ways this week. The Patriots, while boasting an excellent run defense, have struggled defending pass attacks. This year, they have allowed six players to record 90 or more receiving yards in a game, and three of their starting defensive backs have allowed two passing touchdowns apiece. None of this matters, though, because the Browns are bottom five in the league in passing yards, passer rating, and average yards per pass attempt. That isn’t changing overnight, so why play the matchup instead of going with what works?

Now this isn’t to say if you hand it off so many times, you’re guaranteed a victory, but staying patient in the run game is their only chance to win Sunday and contend with legitimate teams in the future. Of course, there will be times where there are small gains, but like in every game this season, Judkins will eventually break one. Look at the splits: his yards, yards per carry, and first downs are the highest in the 4th quarter because he wears defenses down. Enough of the silliness, it's time the Browns fully leaned into becoming a true run-first team.

Paulson Adebo Sends Defiant Message: 'Every Obstacle Is an Opportunity—We’re Ready to Take On the Eagles!'

The New Orleans Saints are no strangers to adversity, and cornerback Paulson Adebo is making sure his team stays focused ahead of their big matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. With the defense facing tough challenges due to injuries in the secondary, Adebo is confident that the Saints’ depth and resilience will help them rise to the occasion and overcome the obstacles in front of them.

"Yes, it’s tough, but every obstacle is an opportunity," Adebo stated. "We’ve got the depth and the drive to overcome this. It’s a next-man-up mentality, and I believe in the guys who will step in. We’ll rise to the occasion and give the Eagles everything we’ve got."

This mindset reflects the Saints' unyielding determination to face whatever comes their way, especially when dealing with injuries that could derail many teams. The Saints' defense, which has been the backbone of the team’s success, will need to adapt and fill in the gaps left by injured players. Adebo’s confidence in his teammates is a clear sign of the unity within the locker room.

The Saints' defensive depth will be tested like never before as they prepare for the high-powered Eagles offense. With star quarterback Jalen Hurts and dynamic playmakers like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, the Eagles have one of the most formidable offenses in the league. But Adebo’s words speak volumes about the belief he and his teammates have in their ability to stop them.

The "next-man-up" mentality isn’t just a slogan for the Saints; it’s a way of life. Players who have been waiting for their opportunity to step into bigger roles will be ready to make an impact. Adebo himself has been a key part of the Saints' defense and will likely have an even bigger responsibility as the team looks to limit the Eagles' offensive weapons.

The road ahead won’t be easy, but Adebo’s confidence and leadership offer a sense of optimism. It’s clear that the Saints aren’t backing down from the challenge. They’re prepared to battle, and if Adebo’s message is any indication, they’ll bring everything they’ve got to the field when they take on the Eagles.

As the Saints get ready for this crucial game, the entire team is embracing the next-man-up mentality and rallying around each other. With Adebo leading the charge, New Orleans is ready to show the Eagles that no obstacle is too big to overcome.

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