Friday leftovers

So what did the Browns' 17-14 victory over the Denver Broncos Thursday night prove? Correct answer: Plenty.

In no particular order, it proved . . . 

The Browns can win a football game with backups at quarterback, running back and offensive right tackle; Case Keenum is Baker Mayfield lite; the depth on offense is better than originally thought; D'Ernest Johnson is the best third-string running back in the National Football League; and the Browns have the best offensive line in the league despite all the injuries. And that's just the offense.

Defensively, it proved . . . 

When unleashed by coordinator Joe Woods, this team flies to the football; the safety blitz is still in the playbook; the tackling improved at least 100% over the last two games during which the D surrendered 84 points; the pass coverage was tighter and much more focused; the pass rush, however, needs more help from the tackles; and the safeties really do know how to play correctly in over/under coverage.

Let's break it down.

Johnson, at least based on his 142-yard effort against the Broncos, is arguably every bit as as good as many starting running backs in the league. Eighty-four of those yards came after contact. He also forced six missed tackles, at least two with classic jump cuts, and broke five more. 

It was a statistical display associated more with Nick Chubb, who watched and enjoyed the performance from the sideline with a calf injury. If Chubb is not ready for the game against Pittsburgh a week from Sunday, suffice it to say Johnson will get his second start.

Even if Chubb is ready to go against the Steelers, Johnson becomes the go-to guy when Chubb needs a rest. Kareem Hunt is on injured reserve. Even so, there will be little to no dropoff in talent with Johnson, though an argument can be made the Steelers' defense is considerably stronger than Denver's.

In the case of Keenum (yes, intentional), head coach Kevin Stefanski got exactly what he wanted out of the 10-year veteran. No egregious mistakes. Terrific game management. Intelligent decisions. He threw for just 199 yards. And was the winning quarterback.

Keenum is never going to put up Mayfield numbers. He doesn't own a strong arm. He tried to stretch the field once against the Broncos and failed. He is best at short- to mid-range passes to tight ends and running backs with occasional rips to slanting wide receivers.. He plays within his limitations. As long as it works, why not continue?

ProFootballFocus was more explicit: "Keenum wasn't spectacular, He didn't need to be." Truth is he rarely is. He is the type who keeps the chains moving. That's been his MO throughout his career. He is a game manager, a throwback field general.

As for the offensive line, it is the heartbeat of that side of the football. No team blocks better in the run game. All five men were outstanding when Stefanski dialed up a run play, On the other hand, the pass protection needs to be a little tighter, although Keenum helped by extending plays with his legs.

Standouts included tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and Blake Hance. Wills has battled an ankle sprain incurred in the season opener in Kansas City. He played every snap against the Broncos for the first time this season. Hance, who can play every position on the line, moved to right tackle for Jack Conklin in this one and played well.

Defensively, it was refreshing to see the speed and quickness on that side of the ball utilized to its fullest extent in the first half. Two first downs. A trio of three-and outs. A takeaway, Sure tackling. No blown coverages. Where has this unit been the last two games? 

And the blitzing? More of it, please. Denver quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was sacked only twice, but was forced to get rid of the ball before he wanted on numerous occasions. In many cases, that's the next best result to a sack.

All in all, it was a game the Browns needed and the closeness of the final score in no way indicates how much the Browns were in control. It was very much a team victory. 

*      *      *

Now the Baker Mayfield saga.

The young Cleveland quarterback has a completely torn labrum and now a broken humerus bone -- it's called a Tuberosity fracture -- in his left shoulder. Technically, it's a fracture of a bony bump located opposite the head of the humerus, according to orthoatlanta.com.  It interferes with the rotator cuff and generally takes anywhere from six to 12 weeks to heal after surgery,

If that does not scream surgery for Mayfield, nothing does. It seems, however, there is a conundrum within the organization. The Browns, perhaps because they aren't sure how to handle this, are doing so cautiously. They do not want to come right out and use the word "surgery."

Stefanski was asked by the media Friday if resting Mayfield for another week will be beneficial for his quarterback. "I don't know the exact answer to that," he admitted. "I would just tell you we are going to continue to listen to the medical staff on this. When he is ready, he is ready."

A little later, he was asked if the club was hopeful Mayfield would be available for the Steelers game. "We have been very consistent with our medical team with Baker on this injury and I will continue to listen to the medical staff of when Baker is ready to go."  A non-answer.

This all goes well beyond just one game. Mayfield is badly damaged. Exposing him to the possibility of even more damage is reckless. He is still young enough where fixing the problem surgically ensures he will be able to continue his career when healthy. Subjecting him to the possibility of further damage in a collision sport makes no sense.

This is more about Mayfield's future as an NFL quarterback than it is about the 2021 season. Besides, Keenum has been here before, taking over in Minnesota when two quarterbacks went down for the season early and he stepped in to take the Vikings to the NFC championship game. He knows the routine well.

*      *      *

If Keenum does finish out the season, look for Stefanski to utilize a three tight end look often. In the Broncos victory, he targeted David Njoku, Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant just six times. They were in the game for the most part to block for the ground game and downfield in the passing game.

As he said the other day, Keenum is made for this role. This is what he does. Initially, it was helping Mayfield understand Stefanski's offense and the philosophy that generates it. And now if the shoulder injury sidelines Mayfield for the season, he is ready.

*      *      *

Best run of the night -- well maybe not the best, but definitely the most important -- belonged to Keenum, whose little five-yard scramble helped set up the touchdown that gave the Browns a 17-7 lead  in the final minute of the third quarter. The 13-play, 75-yard journey was in response to the Broncos' first score of the evening.

Third and three at the Denver six and no one came open for Keenum. So he took off right up the gut, breaking two tackles, gouging out enough for the first down, before being stripped of the ball at the one. Hooper recovered the ball in the end zone, giving the ball back to the Browns at the site of the fumble. Next play, Keenum found fullback Johnny Stanton IV by his lonesome in the end zone.

*      *      *

Finally . . . Keenum spread the ball around to 10 receivers, It probably would have been 11, but Donovan Peoples-Jones injured a groin muscle warming up before the game and did not suit up. . . . Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, back after a three-game visit to injured reserve, were targeted 13 times and grabbed seven for 60 yards. . . . The Browns controlled the ball for a season-high 37 minutes, including 21 in the first half, and were nine of 15 on third down, , , , On the negative side, nine penalties for 60 yards is concerning. , , , Middle linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. led the defense with 10 tackles, seven solo. . . . Kicker Chase McLaughlin missed his first placement of the season when his 41-yard field-goal attempt late in the second quarter was blocked by Shelby Harris, who earlier in the possession recorded the only sack against Keenum.