BEREA -- In the four games that Cleveland Browns rookie Quinshon Judkins had played in leading up to the Steelers game, Judkins was, arguably, the biggest playmaker on offense with 409 all-purpose yardage, including 347 yards rushing and 62 yards in the passing game. In those four games, Judkins averaged over 102 yards on offense.
Judkins entered the Steelers as the ninth-leading rusher in the NFL, despite missing the season-opening game.
The Steelers were obviously, focused on slowing Judkins down, but Kevin Stefanski slowed Judkins down, as well, by only giving him the ball six times in the first half for 14 yards.
The OBR asked Stefanski on a Zoom call on Monday why he was not used more and why the Browns did not continue to run the ball, knowing that Judkins makes a lot of yards after contact.
Quinshon Judkins (Photo: Getty, 247Sports)
"Obviously that game, if you look at the fourth quarter, the number of plays that we had in that game being down three scores precluded us from running our normal base down offense," Stefanski said. "He's obviously, a key part of our offense."
The Browns were down just 9-3 at halftime and yet seemingly, gave up on the running game, but still didn't involve Judkins iin the passing game. In the first four games, Judkins had averaged 6.9 yards a reception on his nine catches, including a long of 18 yards.
He had one target for no receptions against the Steelers.
With 10:26 to play in the game, trailing 23-6 and having a first-and-goal on the Steelers' three-yard line, the Browns attempted to pass on three-straight plays and settled for a field goal after a sack on second down. Judkins did not touch the ball once.
Stefanski was asked about that sequence, starting with a first-and-goal on the three.
"No, we need to be better, whether we throw it or pass it there in those situations, we have to be better."
Stefanski intimated that the reasoning was game-specific.