The lingering question from the Browns’ playoff-clinching victory over the Steelers was, “Why did Nick Chubb touch the ball only 11 times after the opening drive?”
Now we have an answer.
Chubb carried for 11 yards and three yards on the first two plays Jan. 3 and then exploded for a 47-yard touchdown run four plays later for a quick 6-0 lead over the Steelers. He ran on the first drive as though he had a 200-yard game in his muscular legs.
But the Pro Bowl running back carried only four more times in the first half. He carried five times in the third quarter and just twice in the fourth quarter to finish with 14 carries and 108 yards. The only pass Baker Mayfield threw in Chubb’s direction was incomplete.
It turns out Coach Kevin Stefanski was playing the long game. Beating the Steelers to clinch a playoff spot was the priority, but the strategy was to keep Chubb and fellow running back Kareem Hunt fresh for a bigger workload Jan. 10 when the Browns and Steelers meet in a playoff game at Heinz Field. And if all goes well, more games after that.
“We work both those guys in,” Stefanski said Jan. 4 on a Zoom call. “We’re mindful of workload and getting that win and also understanding we have hopefully a few games coming up here.
“We’re trying to make sure it’s the right balance of keeping both those guys fresh and getting the guy in there to get some work done.”
Chubb was on the field for just 44% (27 plays) of the offensive snaps Jan. 3. Hunt was on for 35 plays — 56% of the offensive snaps.
One week earlier, Chubb played 58% of the snaps (47 plays) in the 23-16 loss to the Jets. He carried 11 times and caught five passes for 66 hard-earned yards — 28 rushing and 38 receiving.
Chubb suffered a right knee injury in Dallas in the fourth week of the season and was on injured reserve the next four games. Following is his workload for the six games before the Browns played the Jets. Houston — 28 plays (43%), 19 carries, 126 yards; Philadelphia — 30 plays, (45%), 20 carries, 114 yards; Jacksonville — 41 plays (61%), 19 carries, 114 yards, three catches, 32 yards; Tennessee — 36 plays (50%), 18 carries, 80 yards, one catch, 26 yards; Baltimore — 44 plays (53%), 17 carries, 82 yards, two catches, 21 yards and Giants — 38 plays (59%) 15 carries, 51 yards, two catches, 16 yards.
Chubb’s workload in the season finale was his lightest of the season, excluding the Dallas game when he was injured late in the first quarter. He was sidelined with the injury in the October game in Pittsburgh.
Chubb was not available for comment Jan. 4, but Hunt said he and Chubb feel fine and ready to go against the Steelers in the high-stakes rematch. Hunt had 10 carries plus one catch in the playoff clincher.
“I’m definitely feeling pretty good after 16 weeks,” Hunt said on Zoom. “My body feels good. Nick’s been doing a great job of taking the load off me, and I’ve been trying to take the load off him just as much, so it’s great.”
If the plan indeed is to run the ball on the Steelers, and thereby minimize the terror caused by elite pass rusher T.J. Watt, Browns right tackle Jack Conklin is all for it.
Barring something freaky that would have the Browns (sixth seed) and Colts (seventh seed) meeting at FirstEnergy Stadium in the AFC championship game, the Browns will be on the road as long as they remain in the playoffs. Conklin says the best way to minimize home-field advantage for an opponent is by running the ball.
“When you can run the ball, it really helps you in all other aspects,” Conkllin said. “When you run the ball well, play-action works well. You drop back, and people have to worry about the run. It really takes the bite out of (opponents) when you run them over in the run game.”
The Browns are 11-2 when Hunt and/or Chubb score a touchdown. They combined for 23 touchdowns in the 2020 regular season.
The Link LonkJanuary 05, 2021 at 05:24AM
https://www.news-herald.com/sports/browns/where-was-chubb-in-clincher-keeping-fresh-for-browns-playoff-vs-steelers/article_9cf54250-4edb-11eb-a3bf-23e91461a4e0.html
Where was Chubb in clincher? Keeping fresh for Browns' playoff vs. Steelers - News-Herald.com
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