Statistically, Jacoby Brissett had his best career start against the Bengals, Sunday's opening-day opponent, on Oct. 31, 2022.
He completed 17 of 22 passes for 278 yards, passed for one touchdown and ran for another. His 133.7 passer rating that day remains the highest of his career as a starter. Alex Van Pelt was the Browns' offensive coordinator that day (Kevin Stefanski called plays)
Meanwhile, Joe Burrow was harrassed (17 pressures, five sacks) into going 25 of 35, 232 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, and a passer rating of 96.4.
You could easily make the argument Brissett outplayed Burrow, certainly statistically.
However, this watershed moment from Brissett showed many of the reasons he's on his sixth team in nine years, and why his hold on the Patriots' starting quarterback position will be very tenuous with Drake Maye waiting in the wings.
Brissett made a handful of no-doubt, standout plays. His 3rd and 5 29-yard hookup with Amari Cooper in the second quarter was not only well-designed, but well-thrown. Later on that same drive, Brissett put a perfect back-shoulder pass to Cooper for 18 yards. Brissett had a scramble TD run when everyone was covered to start the second half which put the Browns up 18-0. And Brissett had a well-time end zone fade with Cooper to go up 25-0.
But there were a lot of issues in the game for Brissett. A constant theme is he's at least a beat late on most of his throws and reads, and he leaves a lot of plays on the field. If he doesn't execute quicker and more decisively, he's going to get in more trouble on a less-talented team than that Browns squad.
What's amazing is that nine of the Bengals' defensive starters in that game are still going to be on the other side of the ball when Brissett goes under center Sunday. And, boy, are the Bengals tough to handle up front, especially DEs Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard.
A look at some of those issues with film analysis:
FIRST QUARTER
2-4-CLV 22 (10:06) (Shotgun) J.Brissett pass short left to M.Woods pushed ob at CLV 28 for 6 yards (C.Awuzie)
This play is a success, but Brissett is way too late coming back to the other side of the field where both receivers were immediately open and could have made this a much bigger play.
1-10-CLV 28 (9:31) M.Dunn reported in as eligible. J.Brissett pass deep right to D.Peoples-Jones pushed ob at CIN 35 for 37 yards (C.Taylor-Britt).
This is a "big play" but Brissett throws a half beat late and flat-footed. The ball barely gets to the receiver before the cornerback and could have easily been deflected or picked off.
2-19-CIN 44 (7:55) (Shotgun) J.Brissett sacked at CIN 44 for 0 yards (sack split by T.Hendrickson and S.Hubbard)
Just an awful sack. Has all day long and an open Donovan People-Jones but Brissett doesn't see him. Should have been a 20-30 yard gain. Leads to a blocked field goal attempt from 53 yards.
1-10-CLV 31 (2:08) M.Dunn reported in as eligible. J.Brissett pass short right to Dav.Bell to CLV 44 for 13 yards (C.Taylor-Britt).
A good play statistically but Bell is WIDE OPEN from jump and Brissett doesn't see it early enough. Should have been a 30-yard gain.
SECOND QUARTER
2-11-CLV 24 (13:18) (No Huddle, Shotgun) J.Brissett pass short right to K.Hunt to CLV 28 for 4 yards (C.Taylor-Britt; S.Hubbard).
People-Jones was wide open along the sideline and Brissett makes the wrong decision. The CB was in a bind, came up on Hunt and the ball should have gone to People-Jones (this play was not on the video).
3-7-CLV 28 (Shotgun) J.Brissett pass incomplete deep middle to A.Cooper. CIN-T.Hendrickson was injured during the play. His return is Probable.
Brissett is late to an open Cooper and throws it low where Cooper can't catch it upon replay review.
2-10-CIN 32 (6:58) (Shotgun) J.Brissett pass short right to D.Peoples-Jones to CIN 26 for 6 yards (C.Taylor-Britt).
Gets 6 yards but he had better options earlier and to the other side of the field, especially Cooper on an in-cut.
3-12-CIN 36 (1:56) (Shotgun) J.Brissett sacked at CIN 47 for -11 yards (sack split by S.Hubbard and V.Bell). FUMBLES (S.Hubbard) [V.Bell], RECOVERED by CIN-A.Davis-Gaither at CIN 46. A.Davis-Gaither to CIN 49 for 3 yards (P.Brown).
Another awful sack. Yes, the Bengals bring an all-out blitz and there's a free runner. But there's a wide-open hot route to Brissett's right that he just doesn't see. Brissett fumbles right to the Bengals, which makes it worse. This was points off the board. Brissett has to be better than this for the Patriots.
THIRD QUARTER
3-7-CLV 40 (12:29) (Shotgun) J.Brissett pass deep right to D.Peoples-Jones to CIN 34 for 26 yards (C.Taylor-Britt).
Another big play but ... this is great design, the receiver is wide open early and Brissett gets to him too late where he has to go to a knee. This should be an even bigger play.
2-10-CIN 34 (4:37) J.Brissett pass deep right to A.Cooper pushed ob at CIN 7 for 27 yards (T.Flowers) [S.Hubbard].
Almost the same thing (not in video). Brissett is just late with the ball.
It's going to get him into trouble on this team, which doesn't have the offensive line and a receiver like Cooper. If Brissett isn't a lot better than this — and why should he, this is who he's been his whole career? — Maye is going to be playing by Week 5.
Too many plays, yards and points left on the field. This team can't afford that.