Cleveland Browns: Studs and duds vs. Bears in Week 3 win
By Randy Gurzi
Stud: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Linebacker
He got the start on Sunday and it didn’t take long to realize he deserved it. Rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was all over the field from the first drive. After the Browns failed to convert a fourth-down conversion, Chicago moved it to the Cleveland 29 where they had a third-and-two.
That was the first big play from JOK who stuffed David Montgomery for no gain on the play to force the kick. What was most impressive on this play was how he shed a block from Jason Peters with ease on the play.
On the next drive, the Bears were facing a second-and-20, courtesy of a sack from Jadeveon Clowney, and JOK again blew up the run. This time, he took Montgomery down for a one-yard loss to set up a third-and-21
After another tackle for a loss the following drive, he again blew things up as he shared a sack with Myles Garrett to set up a third-and-14 following the Browns first field goal of the game. Justin Fields was sacked by Myles Garrett on the next play as well, forcing another punt.
Dud: The rest of the offensive line
Often touted as one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, the Browns big men up front struggled in this one. The issues were first seen when they gave up a sack on fourth-and-five from the Bears 38 which ended the Browns first drive.
Even after that, Kevin Stefanski elected to go for it on fourth-and-one the very next series, and again, the blocking never gave Mayfield a chance as Khalil Mack came in untouched for a sack.
There was also a flag on Jack Conklin which ended up being a 10-yard penalty after Kareem Hunt initially ran a first-down early in the second quarter — although it looked as though Wyatt Teller was the player who actually held the defender. This play set up a third-and-15 which was nearly picked off when Mayfield threw it deep for Odell Beckham.