The Value of Hue Jackson on Offense for the Browns and the Bengals
It is easy to look at the Cleveland Browns’ 0-6 record and argue that Hue Jackson is failing as a head coach. Yes, teams are ultimately judged by wins and losses. However, there is also no question that the Browns are currently at the beginning of another rebuilding plan.
After ranking fifth-best in the NFL last season, the Browns’ offensive line was rated 21st by Pro Football Focus heading into this season. Despite injuries and inexperience across the offense, the Browns have actually improved in scoring this season, from 17.4 points per game (30th in the NFL) to 18.8 ppg (26th). This includes improving from being tied for 26th in passing touchdowns to being tied for 20th and from being tied for 29th in rushing touchdowns up to being tied for 11th. The Browns have also improved in yards per game (from 25th to 19th), yards per play (from 28th to tied for 15th), and yardage ranking for both passing (from 22nd to 19th) and rushing (from 23rd to 10th).
While most of these statistics are modest improvements, Hue Jackson’s value as an offensive genius truly shows in the decline of the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense. Heading into this season, numerous analysts and experts picked the Bengals to win the division handily. Yet, the Bengals have slipped from being the AFC North champions last season to a subpar 2-4 record this season.
After ranking eighth-best in the NFL last season, the Bengals’ offensive line was rated fourth by Pro Football Focus heading into 2016. However, without Coach Jackson calling plays for them, the Bengals have dropped from seventh in scoring (26.2 ppg) all the way down to 29th (18.2 ppg)—which is lower than the Browns. Although the Bengals rank higher in passing yardage (from 15th to sixth-best in the NFL) and total yardage (from 15th to 12th), they have dropped in passing touchdowns (from tied for 11th to tied for 25th), rushing touchdowns (from tied for fourth to tied for 19th), rushing yards (from 13th to 24th), and yards per play (from tied for 6th to tied for 15th).
The Browns do not have any playoff aspirations this season, but the Bengals do. While another losing season would be disheartening for Cleveland, falling short of competing for the AFC championship would be disappointing for Cincinnati. As such, Browns personnel and fans need to be patient and trust that Coach Jackson will continue to leverage his wisdom on offense in order to turn the Browns into a winning program. Soon enough, “next year” will be the here and now. On Sunday, perhaps Coach Jackson will give us a preview of this bright future with an upset of his former team at Paul Brown Stadium.
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