Protection not there for Deshaun Watson, as Cowboys sack him six times

CLEVELAND — While Cleveland waits for reinforcements on offense, it will need to find some answers up front.Without starting tackles Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin, the Browns struggled to contain Dallas' stout front seven, allowing six sacks and 17 quarterback hits as Cleveland struggled to find any rhythm offensively during a 33-17 loss Sunday at Huntington Bank Field.Commentary: Browns pretty much did everything wrong, better get things fixed in hurry"It sucked," left guard Joel Bitonio said. "We didn't play up to our expectations. All the credit to the Cowboys, they kind of hit us in the face on both sides. We got down, had to throw the ball a little bit and didn't protect well enough as a group on the offensive line. It's disappointing. We talked about it being one week, but we have to look in the mirror and ask what can each one of us do better for next week."Wills and Conklin are working their way back from knee injuries that cost them parts of the 2023 season.Wills was ruled out Friday. Though he returned to practice Wednesday, Cleveland's left tackle continues to rehab from a season-ending knee injury he sustained in Week 9 against Arizona.Cowboys 33, Browns 17: Deshaun Watson battered, offense brutal in ugly openerConklin returned to practice Aug. 27 and was limited in the three days leading up to Sunday's opener. The veteran right tackle injured his knee in Week 1 against Cincinnati last season and had major reconstructive surgery.Dawand Jones (right tackle) and James Hudson III (left tackle) started in their place, but the line as a unit struggled most of the game. Once the Cowboys built a big lead, the Browns were forced to pass more and Dallas took advantage by dialing up the pressure.Quarterback Deshaun Watson, making his first start since suffering a shoulder injury in Week 10 last season against Baltimore, was sacked five times in the second half, six total and hit 17 times. He completed 24 of 45 passes for 169 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.Defense gives up too many plays, fails to make game-changer of its own"That's unacceptable, period," Hudson said of the sacks. "I definitely feel like we were prepared, we just have to get better as a whole. I don't think we weren't prepared for anything. I feel like we were fully prepared. The coaches did a great job of that. I just feel like we've got to do better."Even before the game got away, Cleveland struggled to establish the run, normally a staple of its offense. The Browns finished with 93 rushing yards, but just 23 in the first half. Starter Jerome Ford led the way with 44 yards on 12 carries. He also led the team in receptions with six on seven targets for 25 yards.Ford will serve as the team's primary back for at least the next three weeks as Nick Chubb works his way back from a knee injury that he sustained in Week 2 last season against Pittsburgh. Chubb was placed on injured reserve and cannot be activated until after Week 4 at the earliest, though it's possible he'll miss more time."We got into a lot of passing situations," Bitonio said. "I don't know how many rushes we had of true runs, but it was more game script than the plan. You get behind, you have to throw the ball a little bit and they have some good pass rushers. We have to protect better as a group and it starts with us up front and we want to do better."#Browns Kevin Stefanski on Deshaun Watson taking bunch of hits. pic.twitter.com/WN4lfTnXWm— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) September 9, 2024https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThe post Protection not there for Deshaun Watson, as Cowboys sack him six times first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.