The Browns' offense looks exposed after fourth-quarter magic runs out vs. Jets

Three straight fourth-quarter comebacks by Deshaun Watson had masked some deficiencies with the Cleveland Browns' offense. Those shortcomings were on display during Sunday's 17-12 loss to the New York Jets.

Watson was under constant pressure but also failed to get rid of the ball at times. Combine that with an inconsistent running game, and the Browns struggled to move the ball most of the day, finishing with a season-low 198 total yards.

The Browns have used the shotgun formation on nearly one-third of their rushing attempts, but that approach had mixed results against the Jets. They averaged 4.4 yards per run but also had six of their 21 carries go for no gain or negative yards.

Cleveland (3-2) is averaging 5.0 yards per rushing attempt out of the shotgun, 10th best in the league. It is averaging a league-worst 1.4 yards under center.

“It’s never just one thing. It’s scheming. It’s us running off the football. It’s executing at a much higher level than we are right now. And until we do that, we will struggle,” coach Todd Monken said. “And it really wasn’t that way at Pittsburgh. I felt like we had made some strides, and the Jets have a good front, and we just didn’t execute and certainly didn’t coach it well enough.”

Watson is doing a better job of using his legs — he had three scrambles for 36 yards against the Jets — but is also holding on to the ball too long. Pro Football Focus attributed only three of Watson's eight sacks to breakdowns by the offensive line.

“Well, we’re still trying to figure out in a lot of ways who we are offensively, what our strengths are and what our weaknesses are as players, collectively as a staff. So, we’re always under construction, and that’s always subject to change in terms of what we feel like gives us the best chance to move the ball, run or pass,” Monken said.

The Browns enter this week with some injuries in the backfield. Running back Quinshon Judkins had a walking boot on his right foot after the game. Monken said Judkins tweaked his ankle and that the move was precautionary.

Denzel Boston as a deep threat. The rookie wide receiver had a 29-yard touchdown catch midway through the fourth quarter. He has one catch for at least 25 yards in each of his first five games, the fourth-longest streak to start a career by any player in the last 30 years. Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase did it in his first seven games in 2021.

Special teams. Andre Szmyt had an extra-point attempt hit the right upright and Corey Bojorquez had a punt snap go through his hands, which led to the Jets' go-ahead touchdown.

LB Quincy Williams recorded 11 tackles, including one for loss, four run stuffs and three forced fumbles. It was his second straight game without a missed tackle after having four through the first three games.

WR Isaiah Bond had three receptions for 74 yards, but also dropped two passes. Bond saw more snaps and playing time after KC Concepcion Jr. suffered a concussion during the first quarter.

Concepcion is in the concussion protocol. Offensive tackle Tytus Howard (knee) and running back Raheim Sanders (hip) left Sunday’s game and did not return. Running back Dylan Sampson (knee) is eligible to come off injured reserve this week.

1 — Catches by Harold Fannin Jr. on Sunday, the first time in 21 games the second-year tight end has not had multiple receptions.

The Browns host the AFC North-leading Ravens on Sunday. Baltimore (4-1) has won the last three meetings. Monken was the Ravens' offensive coordinator from 2023-25.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders (23) is tackled by New York Jets defensive tackle Darrell Jackson Jr. (95) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) is sacked by New York Jets cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs from New York Jets defensive end Will McDonald IV (9) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actor and disability rights advocate RJ Mitte, who brought a lifetime of experience with cerebral palsy to fictional family struggles in an essential role on “Breaking Bad,” died Monday at age 34, authorities and his representatives said.

Cameron County Justice of the Peace Cyndi Hinojosa told The Associated Press she declared Mitte dead at about 1:30 p.m. at what she believed was his home in Brownsville, Texas. She said she was unable to provide a cause, but an autopsy will be performed.

Mitte played Walter White Jr., the son of Bryan Cranston's chemistry teacher-turned-meth dealer Walter White on nearly every episode of the five seasons of the AMC show, which recently ranked as the best of the 21st century in a New York Times poll.

Diagnosed at age 3, Mitte told the AP in 2014 that his disability and the surrounding struggles with physical therapy, family problems and exorbitant medical bills – all key subjects on the show – made him better at his job.

“You develop a different mentality and you develop a different look at how the world sees you and how you see the world,” he said. “You’re able to use that. And I think it’s an asset instead of something that would hinder.”

Mitte was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi.

He landed small guest roles on sitcoms after moving to Los Angeles to act in 2006. Like his character, he was in his mid-teens when he began his work on “Breaking Bad,” starting in 2007. The show ran from 2008 to 2013.

“Mitte brought authenticity to the role and built a platform on disability awareness and inclusion,” the actor's representatives said in a statement announcing his death. The statement said he used “his platform to challenge stereotypes and promote greater representation.”

His later credits included the ABC Family series “Switched at Birth” and the superhero satire series “Guardians of Justice.”

He was also a producer of several independent films.

As an advocate, he served as an ambassador for United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children's. He was also president of his own Mitte Foundation supporting philanthropic and community initiatives around disabilities.

FILE - Aaron Paul, from left, Anna Gunn, Bryan Cranston, Betsy Brandt, Jesse Plemons, Laura Fraser and RJ Mitte pose in the press room with the award for outstanding drama series for "Breaking Bad" at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, Aug. 25, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - RJ Mitte arrives at the Variety and Women in Film's pre-Emmy celebration on Aug. 23, 2014, at Gracias Madre in West Hollywood, Calif. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

FILE - RJ Mitte arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie" at the Regency Village Theatre on Oct. 7, 2019 in Westwood, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, FILE)

FILE - "Breaking Bad" cast members RJ Mitte, from left, Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn and Aaron Paul pose at a premiere screening to celebrate the final episodes of the television series at Sony Pictures Studios on July 24, 2013 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

FILE - RJ Mitte poses for a portrait to promote the film, "Time Share", at the Music Lodge during the Sundance Film Festival, Jan. 20, 2018, in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP, File)