2021 Regular Season
In our final preseason game, QB Deion Brock injured his calf muscle, and he will be sidelined for a few weeks. We’re off to a shaky start, I fear. I have to cut a couple of players, but make room for Justin Lyons to rejoin our squad, on a one year modest deal. He will back up Glenn Dixon for now, and will be our opening ay starter. We have pretty good faith in him after a strong preseason, but he just isn’t all that seasoned.
Week 1: Cleveland at Pittsburgh
What a way to open up. On the road at the team who finally broke our division title streak. Tough opener, without our starting QB.
Pittsburgh’s star QB Mercury Shoemaker manages to get 4 TD passes against us, but Glenn Dixon holds his own (18 of 29, 213 yds, 2 TD, 2 Int, plus 49 yards and a TD rushing) and we get a few big plays – including a TD interception return from (who else?) Kenneth Eskridge to seal up a big 38-31 opening day win on the road. Huge effort.
Week 2: Minnesota (1-0) at Cleveland (1-0)
Another tight win for us, but it’s a win, 25-21. Dixon has another good day on the ground, with 55 yards rushing – he’s adding another weapon to our offensive arsenal. He’s also taking a bit of a shine to WR Ted Pendelton, who has moved into the starting WR spot across from Don Pritchett, and currently has outgained his counterpart and has two TDs in two games.
Week 3: Cleveland (2-0) at Houston (2-0)
Glenn Dixon earns the gameball as he leads our offense to its best game of the season, as we drub the Texans 40-14. Glenn Dixon is 15 of 22 for 178 yards and 4 TDs, plus he gains another 55 yards and a TD on the ground. He’s starting to look like a serious draft day steal, and a potentially game-changing player for us.
Week 5: Denver (2-1) at Carolina (3-0)
With Deion Brock still hobbled a bit (listed as probable) I decide to stick with Glenn Dixon’s hot hand. We roll, 41-7, behind 3 more TD passes from Dixon and a sharp effort from the defense and special teams (including a kickoff return for a TD).
Week 6: Oakland (3-2) at Cleveland (4-0)
Deion Brock has gotten his full clearance, and is ready to go this week. Glenn Dixon will sit down with a 4-0 record and a passer rating over 100 – that has to feel great.
The engine roars with Deion Brock as well – Gus Stewart has a great game, with 143 yards rushing on the day. Brock has not missed a beat, connecting for 21 of 28 passes to lead the effort, and we secure a 28-6 win. Our defense has also been playing very well.
Week 7: Cleveland (5-0) at San Diego (2-3)
Looks like a donut game – on the road against a non-division foe. We survive a tight game, salting away the 21-10 win with a TD by safety Kirk Weed. SD stuffed our running game pretty well, and we were forced to the air all day.
Week 8: Cleveland (6-0) at Kansas City (4-2)
The road foes get even tougher here. And this time we get in too deep, losing 21-13. We fall behind on a long TD bomb by the Chiefs, and they follow up with a nice sustained drive to put us down 14-3. So, our perfect season is dust – we’ll focus on keeping the ship on course now.
Week 9: Baltimore (5-3) at Cleveland (6-1)
Deion Brock came out of last game with a strain in his abdomen, and is listed as doubtful for this week. We’ll go with Glenn Dixon again, in an important divisional showdown. Baltimore gets two TD passes from an old friend of ours, Howie Gordon, and their tough red zone defense keeps us in check, so the Ravens get the win 24-16.
At the team’s halfway point – we’ll have an abbreviated look at the numbers:
Code:
2021 Summary for Cleveland Browns
Record: 6-2
Winning Pct.: .750
Cleveland Browns Team Rank
Rushes 228 14 (T)
Rushing Yards 1166 2
Yards Per Carry 5.11 1
Pass Attempts 229 29 (T)
Completions 140 29
Passing Yards 1650 24
Yards Per Attempt 7.20 10 (T)
3rd Down Conversions 37.6 19 (T)
Points Per Game 27.7 2
Turnovers 8 6 (T)
Turnover Margin +5 7 (T)
Opponents Team Rank
Rushes 217 18
Rushing Yards 654 2
Yards Per Carry 3.01 1
Pass Attempts 301 25
Completions 164 15 (T)
Passing Yards 2124 27
Yards Per Attempt 7.05 19
3rd Down Conversions 41.9 21 (T)
Points Per Game 16.7 4
Turnovers 13 13 (T)
The offense has been good overall – Glenn Dixon’s rushing contributions have boosted our overall efficiency there, and our passing game has been solid. On defense – holding opponents to 3.01 yards per carry is edging toward a dream stat of mine (under 3) and I can’t believe we have been so strong and healthy there… knock wood. Good effort thus far.
The annual chase toward 1,000 receiving yards sees Ted Pendleton with 474 after 8 games, and Don Pritchett with 422. TE Karl Sellers has only 227, as he has battled some injuries this season (and is currently out). Someone needs a big second half to crack the barrier.