Browns vs. Falcons: Breaking Down Cleveland's Game Plan

No league in the world illustrates how much can change in a week more than the NFL. At this time last week the Cleveland Browns were in first place this late in the season for the first time in over 20 years. Seven days and one disappointing loss later and they are now in last place in the AFC North and heading to play a dangerous Atlanta Falcons team.

Sure, the team the Browns are heading down south to face is 4-6. Unfortunately, the Falcons have also won two straight games and are now in first place in the putrid NFC South. The game plan for the Browns this week is different than in weeks past. They now have to find their lost confidence they exuded so well just two games ago and also integrate a new piece into the offense.

Josh Gordon has officially returned from suspension, and he should obviously be a huge part of what the Browns want to do on Sunday. Head coach Mike Pettine needs to use his return and the resulting high that the team and fans have gotten from it to his advantage.

From a schematics standpoint the Browns need to pound the football on the ground. If they want to get Gordon heavily involved in the passing game then they need to open things up and give quarterback Brian Hoyer time to throw.

Atlanta is 24th in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing 122 yards per game, so the Browns should be able to move the ball on the ground. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan needs to stick with the run, however, because the Falcons don’t give up those yards in huge chunks.

They only allow four yards per carry, which is tied for 11th in the NFL. So while the run may not work early, if the Browns stick with it long enough the Falcons will eventually give up the yardage.

For the Browns defense it will be a scenario where Cleveland needs to brace itself and hope for the best. Atlanta has two huge, talented receivers in Julio Jones and Roddy White who will create some very tough matchups for the Browns secondary. This will be especially true if they can establish the run.

The Falcons are 24th in the league in rushing yards per game, but the Browns' rushing defense is as bad as it gets. Now that Cleveland will be without defensive lineman Phil Taylor and linebackers Jabaal Sheard and Karlos Dansby it could be even worse.

If the Browns can eat up the clock and keep the Falcons offense off the field then they have a shot. If they allow them to score at will this could become a shootout, and I’m not sure the Browns have the dogs to run in that race.

Let’s take a look at each position and see just whose dogs have the advantage.

The Competitive Edge

Quarterback

As bad as Atlanta has been, Matt Ryan is still fifth in the NFL in passing yards, 11th in touchdowns and 12th in quarterback rating. Hoyer, on the other hand, has struggled the last few weeks and is coming off a game where he completed just 20 of 50 passes.

Edge: Atlanta

Running Back

The Browns have had an interesting week in the running backs room. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, on Tuesday they announced the surprising move to cut one of their prize free-agent signings, Ben Tate.

So there is no confusion anymore; all the carries are going to go to rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell. This should help the coaches with game-planning and the players be more prepared. I expect the Browns to have a bounce-back week on the ground.

Edge: Cleveland

Receivers

Even with Josh Gordon returning, the Browns have no one anywhere near to whom the Falcons run out onto the field. Julio Jones is eighth in the NFL in receiving, and even though Roddy White is not whom he used to be he still has five touchdowns. They have depth behind those guys as well. If Jones has a big day he will surpass the 1,000-yard receiving barrier for the season.

Edge: Atlanta

Tight End

Neither team has a star in this category since the Browns are still without Jordan Cameron. There is some doubt as to whether the former Pro Bowl tight end will return this year. That could possibly mean the end of his career in Cleveland. Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray have combined for 22 catches for 317 yards and a touchdown in his absence. That’s not too bad.

Edge: Push

Offensive Line

This goes to the Browns but just barely. The only reason the Browns get the nod here is because one would assume they are starting to develop some chemistry with backup center Nick McDonald. Even with Alex Mack’s injury, the Browns have a better run-blocking line and have given up five less sacks on the year. Neither of these squads is anything to write home about at this point, however.

Edge: Cleveland

Defensive Line

The loss of Taylor and Armonty Bryant for the year coupled with the poor play of Ahtyba Rubin and Billy Winn have turned the Browns into a mess against the run. They did not get any pressure on Ryan Mallett last week. While the Falcons have just 13 sacks, the line is the one decent part of their defensive, having accounted for nine of their sacks.

Edge: Atlanta

Linebackers

This might just be the last time for a while that the Browns have a better linebacking corps than their opponent. Even with Jabaal Sheard and Karlos Dansby out for a few weeks with injuries they are still better than the mess the Falcons are running out on the field. Paul Worrilow is having a nice season with 97 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries, but they aren’t getting much else from that position.

Edge: Cleveland

Defensive Backs

I will still take Joe Haden, Buster Skrine, Justin Gilbert, K’Waun Williams, Tashaun Gipson and Donte Whitner over most secondary units in the league. This is especially true when compared to the Falcons. They do have nine interceptions on the year but allow a league-worst 8.2 yards per passing attempt.

Edge: Cleveland

Special Teams

Devin Hester is one of the best kick returners to ever do it, and Matt Bryant is one of the best kickers doing it at this current moment. After another near disaster on special teams for the Browns last week I am really starting to think they should just fair catch every kick from here on out.

Edge: Atlanta

Browns Offense vs. Falcons Defense

Everyone is waiting to see if the Browns can get Josh Gordon back into the fold immediately. He has missed almost a season's worth of games and will now be expected to become a huge playmaker for them immediately.

If they want that to happen then it starts in the run game. Terrance West leads the Browns with 112 carries for 408 yards, but Isaiah Crowell got the start last week. Who gets to take the first snap does not matter as long as someone is effective and moves the chains on the ground.

If the Browns can establish the run then it will ease the pressure that Atlanta’s line can create. This will give Hoyer more time to look down the field and find Gordon. With all the attention that will be paid to Gordon I would look for Andrew Hawkins to have nice game.

He already has 45 receptions for 601 yards, and now that there is a threat to beat the defense over the top it will open things up for him even more. Hawkins thrives in traffic, and the Falcons’ defensive backs can’t cover anyone through the middle of the field. If he can find some space, then look out.

Most importantly, Brian Hoyer needs to play better. He has been mediocre to bad for the last several weeks, and he desperately needs a big bounce-back game. Even in the win over Cincinnati Bengals, the Browns leaned heavily on the run game and took the ball out of Hoyer's hands.

The quarterback's accuracy has been off, and he needs to use Gordon to loosen up the defense deep. A few jump balls could jump-start his afternoon in Atlanta.

Browns Defense vs. Falcons Offense

This is the scariest part of the game. This contest could easily slip into a shootout, and I don’t like the Browns' chances to win that type of game on the road.

While the Falcons offensive line is not good, Matt Ryan is elite enough to overcome that and put up huge numbers. I don’t worry about Joe Haden in this matchup, but Buster Skrine, Justin Gilbert and K’Waun Williams against Roddy White is a tough matchup.

Even if the Browns limit his receptions they still have to worry about Devin Hester, who has over 300 receiving yards this season.

More worrisome than any of that, however, is the run defense. Last week the Houston Texans gashed Cleveland for 213 yards. From the opening kickoff the Texans punched the Browns in the mouth and imposed their will upon them. If the Browns don’t come out with a different mindset then this could be a long afternoon.

Though neither has been officially ruled out it looks like both Sheard and Dansby will miss Sunday’s game and possibly more.

The loss of Sheard and Dansby really hurts because the run defense was already reeling. Paul Kruger and Dansby were the two bright spots against the run this season, and now one of them is gone. Sheard’s absence means more Barkevious Mingo in the game, and stopping the run is by far his biggest weakness.

Mingo will have to start lining up to those lofty draft expectations, and this is his chance to do it. He is coming off his best year against Houston and needs to perform well if the Browns will have success defensively.

What They’re Saying

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan on being two games under .500 but leading the division this late in the year: “Yeah, it’s different. That’s for sure.”

Former Browns wide receiver Nate Burleson on his conversations with Josh Gordon: “When I was with the Cleveland Browns and he knew that suspension was coming, I said, ‘What’s your plans? What are you going to do when you get back?’ He said, ‘I plan to lose 10-15 pounds and when I come back I’m going to tear this league up.’”

Browns’ Wednesday Injury Report

Did Not Practice: Tight end Jordan Cameron (concussion), safety Johnson Bademosi (concussion), linebacker Karlos Dansby (knee), linebacker Jabaal Sheard (foot), wide receiver Marlon Moore (hamstring), defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin (knee) and offensive lineman Joe Thomas (rest)

Limited: Wide receiver Josh Gordon (not injury related)

Full: Linebacker Barkevious Mingo (shoulder) and defensive lineman Desmond Bryant (wrist)

This Week’s Game Stats and Facts

The Browns have allowed just 77 second-half points this season (7.7 avg.), third fewest in the NFL.

The Browns have forced 13 turnovers in the past five games, the most in the NFL during that span.

Rookie Taylor Gabriel is second in the NFL with an average of 18.2 yards per catch.

Thirteen of Josh Gordon’s 14 career touchdowns have come from 20-plus yards, and his average of 17.9 yards per grab since his rookie campaign in 2012 is the highest in the league during that span.

All quotes and observations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Game stats and facts are courtesy of the Browns’ communications department.