If Browns Have Unlocked Their Offense, Watch Out

Todd Monken was adamant when he arrived in Cleveland this winter that he didn't want to label is offense as any one specific thing. The only real expectation he set for the Browns offense under his command was that they'd be a team that scores points any way possible. 

That was always going to be easier said than done, particularly in year one at the helm. 

Monken took over a Browns offense that was one of the worst in football last year in a number of notable categories, including points scored, where they ranked second to last in the NFL.

Through the first six weeks of the season, scoring remained a problem for Cleveland, even with Monken calling the shots. Slow starts were (and still are) an undesirable calling card. An inability to run the football effectively had become a major red flag. The quarterback play has been far too inconsistent. 

A Week 7 matchup with a struggling Tennessee Titans team seemed bring out the best in this Browns offense, though. That was true despite the fact that another slow started could have haunted them. 

Deshaun Watson's interception on the team's first possession put the Titans in position to take what felt like a daunting 14-0 lead. Considering what the state of the offense had been in previous weeks, it could have been a death knell. But a six-play, 73-yard touchdown drive followed, steadied things, and the offense found a rhythm. 

The Browns went on to score 27 points, matching their season high, in a win. They ran the ball for a season-high 183 yards. 96 of those came from star running back Quinshon Judkins, who hadn't eclipsed more than 70 yards in a game this season previously. Rookie WR KC Concepcion had his breakout performance, racking up 129 yards on eight catches, all in the first half. He added a few rushes of his own for 23 yards, as well. Tight end Harold Fanning Jr. had six receptions for 91 yards, including a huge 36-yarder that set up the eventual game-winning field goal. 

And, who could forget, Watson posted the first 300-yard passing game of his tumultuous five-year tenure with the franchise. Everything came together all at once, and the full potential of this young, upstart, Todd Monken offense was finally realized. 

Judkins was the lead back he was expected to be. Concepcion was the yards-after-catch creator he was drafted to be. Fannin was the reliable weapon he proved to be a season ago. Watson, well, he was consistent and competent in a way Browns fans hadn't seen from him, arguably ever. 

In almost every way, this was the offense Monken promised when he arrived. And while the defense may not have had its best day, it still left its mark on the game with several critical moments and plays. 

On a day where they weren't dominating the way they've accustomed to, though, it was refreshing to see the offense pick up the slack. That's the definition of complementary football and frankly, the Browns need more of that. 

Which is why this breakout game feels like a critical point in the season for Cleveland. If it really did find something on Sunday and unlocked the full capabilities of their offense, then paired with a defense that has plenty of stand on its head capabilities, the rest of the NFL better take notice.

At 5-2 and with the playoffs very much in focus, that version of the Browns can beat