Cleveland Browns Halftime Scribbles: Offense looks sharp from Chubb to Baker to Odell – Terry Pluto

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Scribbles in my notebook as the Browns took a 21-13 lead over the Bengals at halftime.

1. The Browns came out with the right game plan to attack the Bengals defense, which was the worst against the run in 2019. Coach Kevin Stefanski gave the ball to Nick Chubb several times, including a terrific 11-yard tackle-breaking TD.

2. On Chubb’s TD rush, fullback Andy Janovich threw a key block. Yes, the new fullback plays a role.

3. The second Browns TD was a 43-yard pass from Baker Mayfield to Odell Beckham Jr. It was a perfect pass, and Beckham did a good job with a stutter-step move to get open.

4. The Browns’ third TD was a 6-yard TD pass to Kareem Hunt. Real balance in the first half. A running TD for Chubb. A pass reception for Hunt. A long strike from Baker to Odell.

5. Mayfield looked very comfortable, completing 11 of 14 passes for 167 yards and 2 TDs. His three incompletions were two throwaways and an intentional grounding. He looked like he did in some of his best moments from 2018.

6. Chubb ran for 52 yards on 12 carries. Hunt had one run for six yards, he caught two passes for 15 yards. Beckham caught three passes for 68 yards.

7. Another good sign: kicker Cody Parkey made all three extra points. That has not been a given for the Browns in the last few years.

8. The Browns were without Olivier Vernon (abdomen injury) starting at defensive end. Adrian Clayborn started in his place and made a big sack on Joe Burrow in the first quarter. Then Clayborn hurt his hip and left the game before the end of the half.

9. Vernon being out was a surprise. So was Jack Conklin. He was active but didn’t start because of an ankle injury. Chris Hubbard started at right tackle. The Bengals were without two starting defensive linemen: Geno Atkins and Mike Daniels.

10. The Bengals believe the Browns have problems on their kickoff coverage. Twice, Cincinnati’s Brandon Wilson caught kickoffs in the end zone and ran the ball out. He picked up 45 and 42 yards. Baltimore averaged 32 yards on its two kickoff returns last Sunday.

11. Rookie Joe Burrow was impressive, 18-of-28 passing for 155 yards.

12. The Browns did an excellent job stopping the run. Joe Mixon had only 26 yards on eight carries. Mixon had 308 yards in two games vs. the Browns in two games last season.

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