Drought is a stretch when you haven’t scored in the endzone one time.
A better title would be “When Will Jarvis Landry Score This Season?”
At the midway point of the season, the Pro Bowl wideout for the Browns has not scored a receiving touchdown this season.
Could Sunday be the first time Jarvis Landry does a touchdown dance?
Landry’s Halfway Point
After a career-high in receiving yards last year (1,174), Landry is nowhere near that mark in 2020.
Heading into Week 10, Landry’s totals are as followed:
- Week 8 vs. Raiders: 4 receptions for 52 yards
- Week 7 vs. Bengals: 4 receptions for 48 yards
- Week 6 vs. Steelers: 3 receptions for 40 yards
- Week 5 vs. Colts: 4 receptions for 88 yards
- Week 4 vs. Cowboys: 5 receptions for 48 yards
- Week 3 vs. Washington Football Team: 4 receptions for 36 yards
- Week 2 vs. Bengals: 3 receptions for 46 yards
- Week 1 vs. Ravens: 5 receptions for 61 yards
Potentially the most alarming stat, outside of zero 100-yard performances, is that Landry has not surpassed 61 yards since the first game of the season.
If Landry was going to end the drought, what makes us think he can do it this week?
The Case For The Break
The Houston Texans own the No. 22 ranked passing defense in the league, which is actually ranked higher than the Browns, who are ranked at No. 24.
Starting cornerback Bradley Roby is expected to return, but he has missed just one game on the season.
Even with Roby in the lineup, the Texans have allowed 256.3 passing yards per game.
Not to mention, the Texans are No. 30 in the league in touchdowns allowed per game at 3.8.
This would be the time for Landry to break the drought.
#Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry said dropping passes comes with the game, but he's not content with it, adding he has looked himself in the mirror. He also said not having a touchdown yet this season breaks his heart so bad, but he's staying focused and knows it'll come
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) November 12, 2020
Given that the Texans have allowed over 30 points in five of the eight games of this season, there’s reason to believe the Browns can run up the score.
The question is can Baker Mayfield get Landry the ball?
The Poor Running Defense
The Texans are ranked dead last in rushing yards allowed per game (159.5).
Opposing teams have run all over the Texans and the Browns are in a prime position to do the same.
Hall pushed around on this Dalvin Cook run. I guess the Texans run defense got tired early. pic.twitter.com/I4oDy5GkTX
— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) October 4, 2020
Nick Chubb is going to be back after a three-game absence.
The tea leaves say that the Browns are going to try and run the ball early.
If the Browns can do that effectively, then the team could look at Chubb, or Kareem Hunt, likely scoring the first two or three touchdowns.
Keeping the ball on the ground takes away pass attempts, which hurts Landry in the long run.
The Answer: No
Honestly, this feels like an easy answer.
Landry will not break his touchdown drought, and here’s an even bolder claim.
Landry will score a career-low in touchdowns for the season, which is less than four.
The Texans’ defense against the run is too bad for the Browns to not utilize Chubb and Hunt as frequently as possible.
By running the ball, the Browns will take time off the clock.
Mayfield won’t finish this game with more than 25 pass attempts thanks to this plan.
Sorry, Landry.
It’s going to be at least another week or more.
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