NFL PRESEASON WEEK 3 PART 3: Browns Bucs, Packers 49ers, Chiefs Bears

Here is part three in this week’s series of recaps on last weekend’s preseason NFL games.

The Browns played surprisingly well in their week three dress rehersal against Tampa Bay- at least offensively. The stars of the show were quarterback, Robert Griffin III, who earned the starting job in Cleveland after sitting on the bench in Washington for the last year and a half. He had a mildly efficient 8 completions on 14 attempts for 119 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. However, he truly shined when targeting Josh Gordon, star wideout from 2013 who has been suspended for substance abuse policy violations ever since. Gordon caught both his two targets for a total of 87 yards and a touchdown. Gordon is slotted to miss the first 4 games due to suspension, but this showing leaves little doubt as to the impact he’ll have upon his return. Griffin’s ability to throw the ball accurately deep down the field also has to be consoling to Browns fans.

In the running game, third year back, Isaiah Crowell, got the bulk of the carries with 8 touches for 39 yards. However, Duke Johnson was more efficient with his 3 carries for 22 yards. Johnson also caught one pass out of the backfield for 9 yards. This figures to be a timeshare situation that favors Crowell though don’t rule out a Johnson emergence mid-season. Either way, for a team that struggled running the ball more than nearly any other team in the NFL in 2015, the activation of its more potent receiving weapons in Gordon and Pryor (the former Raiders quarterback) seems to have opened up the running lanes. If we don’t see another RG3 implosion, this Browns offense may be worth paying attention to.

Their defense, however, was true to its 2015 ineptitude.

The Buccaneers managed to score 30 points on this Browns defense with second year QB, Jameis Winston, throwing for 259 yards and 2 TDs in the first half alone. Mike Evans lived up to the hype surrounding him following last years stellar performance. He wrangled in 5 receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown. Doug Martin managed to turn his four touches into 18 yards for an efficient statline. However, but for a 14 yard break-out, his line would have looked much differently. I don’t think there’s any way in the world that Martin repeats his 2015 greatness. He received the big contract he was playing for all season last year and his history of unreliability bodes poorly for him. The good news is, however, that the Bucs have third year back Charles Sims who is a superstar waiting for the opportunity to prove it. He rushed four times for 13 yards and caught three passes for 16 more and a TD.

Other noteworthy performances for the Bucs came from Vincent Jackson who caught four passes for 78 yards and rookie kicker, Roberto Aguayo, who has been heckled by fans after missing multiple kicks in warm-ups. The kicker made 3 of 3 field goals, including one from 48 yards out, and 3 of 3 extra points.

This game was simultaneously a showing of dominance and efficiency on the side of Green Bay and that of ineptitude and failure by San Francisco.

The 49ers proved absolutely hopeless throwing the ball with the combined stats from all four QBs who took snaps during the game totaling less than 100 yards, 0 TDs, and 1 interception. The niners were mildly successful running the ball with Carlos Hyde, who’s slated to be the feature back, making the most of his four touches for 30 yards. However, San Francisco failed to throw the ball efficiently and failed to play defense. Their performance here doesn’t indicate that we should have anything but low expectations for their 2016 season.

The Packers, on the other hand, looked fresh and revitalized after a mediocre run in 2015. Rodgers made the most of his limited action completing 6/9 for 60 yards and a TD. Eddie Lacy looked fresh and agile after a disappointing 2015. He carried the ball 7 times for 45 yards. We, however, did not see any action from Jordy Nelson, who is slotted to return in game one after missing the entire 2015 season due to injury.

Alex Smith looked fluid as he threw 20 completions on 30 attempts for 181 yards with an extra 25 yards on the ground. Last year’s breakout receiver, Jeremy Maclin, hauled in 5 catches for 44 yards and tight end stud, Travis Kelce caught 3 for 37 yards. The Chiefs, however, scored all of their touchdowns on the ground with one coming from second string RB, Spencer Ware, and another from Darrin Reaves.

All in all, the Chiefs looked strong on both sides of the ball. Chicago, however, seemed quite the opposite. Jay Cutler managed a measly 6 completions on 15 attempts for only 45 yards. Jeremy Langford averaged under 3 yards per carry on his 6 attempts for 17 yards, and Alshon Jeffery had only 2 receptions for 18 yards. Furthermore, second year WR, Kevin White, who was expected to make a big splash in 2015 after being drafted highly but then missed the entire season due to injury, put up only one reception for three yards. Whatever your expectations were for this Bears team, temper them. The only thing they did well all game was punt the ball.