Quarterback Tyrod Taylor was so-so in the Cleveland Browns' 21-21 tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in Cleveland.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Quarterback Tyrod Taylor went 15-of-40 for 197 yards and one touchdown in the Cleveland Browns' tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers, 21-21, Sunday afternoon at rainy FirstEnergy Stadium. Taylor was intercepted once and sacked seven times. He had eight carries for a team-high 77 yards and scored once.
First things first: The Browns deserve credit for rallying from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter and not losing to a quality opponent that has owned them. The Browns showed they (probably) are not the Same Old Browns, certainly not the 1-31 sad sacks of the previous two seasons under coach Hue Jackson.
Regardless....
The Browns absolutely should have won this season opener for both teams. The Steelers committed not one, not two, not three but six turnovers on the road -- and the Browns still were unable to beat them.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 335 yards and one touchdown, but don't be fooled: He played poorly, even when taking into account inclement weather. He was sacked four times, intercepted three times, lost two fumbles and missed open receivers on numerous occasions. Yet the Browns failed to fully capitalize.
Here is the shame within the shame of it: For all of the the issues the o-line and running backs had against the Steelers blitz packages; for all of the missed opportunities offensively (19 possessions, 21 points); for any of the periodic problems of the defense....the Browns would have won if not for lousy special teams.
Kickoffs not long enough. Penalties. Bad tackling on the opponent's returns. A way-too-early fair catch. A shanked punt. A blocked field-goal attempt for the win. In other words, it was another day at the office for Browns special teams. Seemingly glossed over in the muck of 1-31 was how subpar at significant points the Browns special teams were. Evidently, the problems haven't been fixed.
No matter how young/inexperienced a team is, there should not be any excuses for bad special teams at the pro level.
Uneven: Taylor's first start for the Browns was a decidedly mixed bag.
Taylor, under pressure all day and dealing with wet conditions, committed just one turnover. His o-line and backs did him few favors, and his receivers did not appear to get enough separation. If not for his legs, he likely would have been sacked twice as many times and the Browns almost certainly would have lost. He accounted for two touchdowns.
However, Taylor made an assortment of off-target passes, including an under-throw for the costly pick in the final minute of regulation. He held the ball too long in certain situations. It ultimately falls on his shoulders that the Browns managed just 21 points in 19 possessions.
Final grade: C-
Piece by piece: Here is a look at each of Taylor's dropbacks upon DVR review of the CBS Sports telecast:
1ST QUARTER
First possession (0-0)
1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 36
- Result: QB Tyrod Taylor, from under center, scrambled right for 6 yards.
- Skinny: Taylor rolled and didn't like what he saw.
2nd-and-4 @ Cleveland 42
- Result: Taylor, from under center, complete to TE David Njoku on left for 1 yard.
- Skinny: Taylor under pressure. Steelers easily diagnosed play.
(Two false-start penalties.)
3rd-and-13 @ Cleveland 33
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, scramble up middle for 15 yards.
- Skinny: Taylor made terrific play.
1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 48
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Njoku on right.
- Skinny: Pass into traffic too high on seam route. (In preseason at Giants, it was wide-open). Njoku only got glove on it.
3rd-and-6 @ Pittsburgh 48
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for WR Jarvis Landry on left.
- Skinny: Slant pass on-target, but CB Mike Hilton was glued to Landry and knocked ball away.
2nd possession (0-0)
1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 14
- Result: Taylor, from under center, sacked for minus-5 yards.
- Skinny: LB T.J. Watt roughing passer penalty after whistle. Taylor dinged.
1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 24
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for RB Carlos Hyde on right.
2nd-and-10 @ Cleveland 24
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, scramble right for 1 yard.
3rd-and-9 @ Cleveland 25
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for RB Duke Johnson Jr. on right.
- Skinny: Taylor uncertain and inaccurate during series. This particular pass led Johnson too much.
3rd possession (0-0)
First series for Browns WR Josh Gordon
(Four straight runs to open possession.)
2nd-and-13 @ Cleveland 23
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, complete to Hyde on left for minus-2 yards.
- Skinny: Hyde caught pass at Cleveland 15. Play had minimal chance for anything.
3rd-and-10 @ Cleveland 26
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Landry over middle.
- Skinny: Pass deflected at line. Questionable decision by Taylor because Landry was open at Cleveland 28 but surrounded by Steelers. Landry likely would have been tackled far short of first down.
(Taylor through three series: 2-of-7 for 4 yards, one sack; three rushes for 22 yards.)
2ND QUARTER
4th possession (Steelers, 7-0)
2nd-and-11 @ Cleveland 24
- Result: Taylor, from under center, complete to Landry on right for 33 yards.
- Skinny: Landry wide-open on out-and-up against CB Joe Haden. He made terrific adjustment to under-thrown pass and caught it while falling to ground.
1st-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 43
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete on right sideline.
- Skinny: Taylor rolled right, where DE Stephon Tuitt was waiting. Taylor throwaway under pressure. WR Rashard Higgins in neighborhood.
2nd-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 43
- Result: Taylor, from under center, scramble right for 1 yard.
- Skinny: Taylor unable to escape DT Cameron Heyward.
3rd-and-9 @ Pittsburgh 42
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, intended for Landry on right intercepted by S Sean Davis at Pittsburgh 26 NULLIFIED by S Terrell Edmunds holding Landry.
3rd-and-6 @ Pittsburgh 33
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, complete to Landry over middle for 1 yard, plus Gordon unnecessary roughness.
- Skinny: Shovel pass took too long to get started. Terrible call against Gordon. Browns forced to punt.
5th possession (Steelers, 7-0)
1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 28
- Result: Taylor, from under center, scrambles left for 3 yards.
2nd-and-7 @ Cleveland 31
- Result: Taylor, from under center, complete to TE Darren Fells on right for 12 yards.
- Skinny: Screen. Fells made catch at Cleveland 27.
2nd-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 46
- Result: Taylor, from under center, sacked by LB Jon Bostic for minus-7 yards.
- Skinny: RB Nick Chubb too late sliding over as Bostic came free from Pittsburgh's left.
6th possession (Steelers, 7-0)
2nd-and-16 @ Cleveland 49
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, sacked for minus-8 yards by LB Bud Dupree and fumble recovered by Browns G Joel Bitonio.
- Skinny: Taylor had no chance.
(Taylor at half: 5-of-11 for 50 yards; three sacks for minus-20 yards; six rushes for 33 yards.)
3RD QUARTER
7th possession (Steelers, 7-0)
1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 14
- Result: Taylor, from under center, sacked by Watt for minus-10 yards.
- Skinny: Watt, coming from Pittsburgh left, easily beat Fells.
2nd-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 20
- Result: Taylor, from under center, scramble left for 20-yard touchdown.
- Skinny: Taylor didn't like first or second read, then escaped pocket and out-ran DE Tyson Alualu to edge. Taylor drilled by CB Artie Burns at goal line.
8th possession (Steelers, 14-7)
1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 8
- Result: Taylor, from under center, complete to Njoku on right for 8 yards.
- Skinny: Taylor plenty of time before rolling right and checking down. Njoku dinged.
1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 21
- Result: Taylor, from under center, incomplete intended for Landry on right.
- Skinny: Haden blanketed Landry as ball landed beyond them inside Pittsburgh 45 at sideline.
3rd-and-12 @ Cleveland 19
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, sacked by Watt for minus-5 yards.
- Skinny: Coverage sack. Aerial shot from CBS showed Taylor had nobody open.
9th possession (Steelers, 21-7)
1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 11
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Johnson on left.
- Skinny: Blitz pressure from Pittsburgh's right forced early pass at Johnson's feet.
3rd-and-7 @ Cleveland 14
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, complete to Landry on left for 39 yards.
- Skinny: Taylor bought time in pocket. Landry wide-open near sideline and made catch at Cleveland 40. Landry tackled, landed on football.
1st-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 47
- Result: Taylor, from under center, incomplete intended for Gordon over middle in end zone.
- Skinny: Haden blanket coverage, pass defensed. Haden's right hand hit Gordon's face-shield a tad early but penalty not called. Taylor was on-target.
2nd-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 47
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Njoku on right.
- Skinny: Quick pass to beat blitz was too hot for open Njoku on seam. Still, Njoku drifted toward ball, reached and got a glove on it. Play should have been good for first down and more.
3rd-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 47
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Njoku on right.
- Skinny: Njoku covered by Edmunds but should have made jumping catch near Pittsburgh 31 at sideline.
4TH QUARTER
10th possession (Steelers, 21-7)
1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 12
- Result: Taylor, under center, incomplete intended for Gordon NULLIFIED by Burns interference against Gordon near sideline.
1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 30
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, complete to Landry over middle for 6 yards.
- Skinny: Landry wide-open.
2nd-and-4 @ Cleveland 36
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, sacked by Heyward for minus-11 yards.
- Skinny: Browns holding declined.
3rd-and-15 @ Cleveland 25
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, complete to Njoku on right for 4 yards.
- Skinny: Taylor plenty of time against three-man rush. Njoku hit immediately.
11th possession (Steelers, 21-7)
1st-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 47
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Johnson on left.
- Skinny: Steelers pressure forced low screen pass. Illegal formation against LT Desmond Harrison declined.
2nd-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 47
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Landry on right.
- Skinny: Pass, from clean pocket, took a tad too long to arrive. CB Mike Hilton was able to close and break it up at Pittsburgh 37.
3rd-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 47
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, scramble left for 24 yards.
- Skinny: Taylor spun from Dupree immediate pressure. More than a few QB's would have been sacked.
1st-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 23
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Higgins on right in end zone.
- Skinny: Essentially jump-ball to Higgins, who was well-covered by CB Cameron Sutton near sideline.
2nd-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 23
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for WR Antonio Callaway on left.
- Skinny: Taylor, pressured immediately by Dupree, threw it out of bounds. Callaway covered near Pittsburgh 5.
3rd-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 23
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Johnson on left.
- Skinny: Screen pass from pressured Taylor never got there. Steelers were all over it, regardless.
4th-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 23 (7:55 left)
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, complete to Taylor for minus-5 yards NULLIFIED by Steelers offside.
- Skinny: Dupree beat Harrison and flicked ball out of Taylor's hands.
4th-and-5 @ Pittsburgh 18
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Landry on left in end zone.
- Skinny: Browns missed blitz pickup, forcing Taylor to throw earlier than he wanted. Browns running backs continue to struggle with Steelers blitz.
Haden out because of injury.
12th possession (Steelers, 21-7)
(Carlos Hyde 1-yard run for touchdown after Steelers turnover.)
13th possession (Steelers, 21-14)
(Hyde rushed twice for a total of minus-2 yards.)
3rd-and-12 @ Pittsburgh 39
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Landry on short left.
- Skinny: Pass off hands of Landry, who would have been tackled a foot beyond line of scrimmage. Disastrous possession.
14th possession (Steelers, 21-14)
1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 45
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, complete to Higgins on right for 38 yards.
- Skinny: Excellent pass. Higgins slipped past Sutton at sideline.
1st-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 17 (1:58 left)
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, complete to Gordon on right for 17-yard touchdown.
- Skinny: Gordon fantastic catch while being blanketed by Sutton at front of end zone.
15th possession (21-21)
2nd-and-7 @ Cleveland 32
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete on right.
- Skinny: Taylor buys time, throws ball away to sideline. Higgins in neighborhood.
3rd-and-7 @ Cleveland 32
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, complete to Landry for 11 yards on right.
- Skinny: Taylor waits against three-man rush, rolls right, finds Landry in zone crease.
1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 43 (:39 left)
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, complete to Landry on left for 9 yards.
- Skinny: Landry tackled before he could get out of bounds.
2nd-and-1 @ Pittsburgh 48
- Result: Taylor, from under center, incomplete (spike) NULLIFIED by Steelers penalty for 12 men on field.
1st-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 43 (:23 left)
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, intended for Gordon intercepted by Sutton on right sideline at Pittsburgh 8.
- Skinny: Pass under-thrown, Sutton capitalized.
OVERTIME
16th possession (21-21)
(Browns win toss, receive kickoff)
2nd-and-8 @ Cleveland 27
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, complete to Landry on right for 7 yards.
- Skinny: Taylor bought time, rolled right and threw low and behind Landry. Terrific catch.
3rd-and-1 @ Cleveland 34
- Result: Taylor, from under center, incomplete intended for Njoku on right.
- Skinny: Taylor locked onto Njoku. Sean Davis read Taylor's eyes and moved across to knock away pass at Steelers 48. Fells appeared to be wide-open in middle of field, but he didn't have his head turned toward the target and Davis probably peeled off him.
17th possession (21-21)
2nd-and-10 @ Cleveland 19
- Result: Taylor, from under center, sacked by Watt for minus-1 yard.
- Skinny: Taylor saw no one open, rolled right, knocked out of bounds.
3rd-and-11 @ Cleveland 18
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, complete to Johnson on right for 8 yards.
- Skinny: Quality play by Sutton, who made open-field tackle.
18th possession (21-21)
1st-and-10 @ Cleveland 32
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Landry short over middle.
- Skinny: Landry illegal-motion penalty declined.
2nd-and-10 @ Cleveland 32
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Johnson on right.
- Skinny: Taylor under siege by blitz. Pass landed beyond Johnson at Cleveland 30.
3rd-and-10 @ Cleveland 32
- Result: Taylor, from shotgun, incomplete intended for Landry on left.
- Skinny: Taylor stepped up in pocket, over-shot Landry. Officials missed blatant hold by Burns against Gordon.
19th possession (21-21)
(On 1st-and-10 @ Pittsburgh 24, Hyde rushed once for minus-1 yard.)
2nd-and-11 @ Pittsburgh 25
- Result: Taylor spike to stop clock (:13 left).
(Browns field-goal attempt blocked by Watt.)