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Browns aim to establish effective rushing attack early in games | News & Notes

Harold Fannin Jr. continues to excel as a key receiving threat

NewsandNotesWeek9

After falling behind early, the Browns lost to the Steelers 27-6 in Week 8, failing to find the end zone for the first time this season. Cleveland, now sitting at 5-3 this season, will look to bounce back on the road in Week 9 against the Saints. Despite the result, head coach Todd Monken emphasized the importance of quickly moving on to New Orleans. 

"Today's the day that you look and say, 'Okay where can we improve coaching and playing?'" Monken said. "That's when you look at it today, and then you flush it. You say we're 5-3 and it's good to have high expectations. This is a good spot to be in, to be disappointed that you're not 6-2 and that you didn't find a way to win the game on the road and be 3-0 in the division. That's really cool in my mind. I told them that's really cool, you've earned the other five wins. We also earned the way we played yesterday. We weren't poised and we weren't composed, and we earned that." 

Here are the main pieces of news and notes heading into Week 9.

Browns aim to establish effective rushing attack early in games 

The Browns recorded a season-low 34 total net rushing yards against the Steelers in Week 8. After fumbling on their first two possessions of the game, the Browns struggled to run the ball as RB Quinshon Judkins led the team with 11 carries for just 25 yards. 

"We got behind," Monken said. "That's really, to me in a nutshell, we got behind. We didn't really get into a rhythm, and we didn't get any auxiliary yards. If you're behind, your longest run is seven yards, you don't get any auxiliary runs through the quarterback, or through other players, on the perimeter game, it's going to look like that unfortunately. We certainly have to scheme it better, have to coach it better and execute it better."

Although the Browns tallied a season-high 183 rushing yards in their Week 7 win over the Titans, Monken mentioned that the NFL is a week-to-week league and the game script against Pittsburgh didn't allow them to run the ball successfully. One way to counter that, Monken noted, is to establish their rushing attack quicker in games. By running the ball more efficiently at the start of games, paired with the use of their auxiliary rushing attack, the Browns can maintain a better rhythm. That consistent rushing output across all four quarters may lead to increased production on the ground. 

Through the first eight weeks of the season, the Browns rank 24th in the NFL with 97.6 rushing yards per game. They will have an opportunity to improve their rushing production in Week 9 against the Saints, who allow 139.4 rushing yards per game to opponents — the fourth most in the league.

Harold Fannin Jr. continues to excel as key receiving threat 

TE Harold Fannin Jr. had a career-day through the air in Week 8, recording career-highs of 10 receptions and 154 receiving yards. Through the first eight games, Fannin leads Cleveland with 35 receptions and 411 receiving yards. He currently ranks fourth in the NFL in receiving yards this season by a tight end this season, according to ESPN. 

"I think Harold is an improving player," Monken said. "Really good hands, run after the catch. He's a bull, (and) he's only going to continue to get better as a blocker. So, it behooves us to try and get him the ball more often." 

Over the past two games, Fannin has combined for 245 receiving yards on 21 targets, which both lead the Browns in that span. He credited his recent production with the way that he's continued to prepare and attack every week. 

"I think that's just a carryover from practice," Fannin said. "Continuing to practice hard and get on the same page with Deshaun (Watson)."

Offense looks to clean up pass protection issues

The Browns tied a season-high with eight sacks allowed in Week 8, matching their Week 5 total against the Jets. Cleveland's offensive line was flagged for five penalties resulting in a loss of 35 yards. Monken acknowledged that the Browns need to coach their protections better, block more effectively and get rid of the ball quicker.

Part of the reason for the increased miscues in the Browns' pass protection in Week 8 was the way the game unfolded, though, according to Monken. After facing an early deficit, QB Deshaun Watson threw the ball 39 times in Week 8, his highest number of passing attempts in a game this season.  

"The way the game played out is not a recipe for success against any NFL team, let alone the Steelers at their place where you get behind (and) you end up in a drop back game," Monken said. "Our inability to stay ahead of the chains, we were behind in the game, and that's going to lend itself to added pressure on the quarterback. And we certainly all need to do it better."

Browse action photos from the Browns' 2026 Week 8 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, featuring top plays and moments.

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