BEREA — The difference between the Browns run game in the opener and in the second game wasn't as simple as adding D'Onta Foreman to the equation. That would be as simplistic a way as any to look at things.

What isn't arguable is that the veteran running back went from being a complete non-factor against the Dallas Cowboys to being the Browns player with the most carries in the 18-13 win at the Jacksonville Jaguars. Foreman played just one offensive snap in Week 1, then came back to carry the ball 14 times for 42 yards in Week 2.

"I don't have no idea what the difference was, but I would just say it felt good though," Foreman told the Beacon Journal Thursday. "It felt good to be back out there, being able to play, trying to make some plays and to try to show my teammates and my coaching staff that I can help the team."

Foreman's presence added a little punch to the Browns running game. Cleveland was held to just 93 yards on only 19 carries by Dallas, with Jerome Ford carrying it 12 times for 44 yards.

A week later, the Browns ran for 125 yards on 29 carries in the win at Jacksonville. The irony of the increase in net yards is that the net average went down from 4.9 against the Cowboys to 4.3 against the Jaguars.

However, the commitment to the run was the part of the equation that mattered the most. That commitment also helped to open up things all around, including for quarterback Deshaun Watson.

"I think it's always big to be able to run the football, definitely in this league," Foreman said. "I mean, I think all the good teams are able to run the football, and once you're able to run the football I think you can do everything else — try to keep the game manageable for the quarterbacks, try to keep him in short third downs or short second down to be able to call whatever you want to call on the play sheet.

"So I think that's the biggest thing. As long as we can control the run and keep it manageable for those guys, then I think Deshaun can do what he wants to do."

The best example was the Browns' opening drive. It was a masterful 16-play, 89-yard march that culminated in Watson's 1-yard run for a 7-0 lead they did not relinquish.

That drive, though, was set up with two big runs early by Foreman that forced the Jaguars to respect to the run. He gained eight yards on the first play of the series, then five more on the third.

Watson, with some help from wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore, was the biggest contributor to the drive by completing 7 of 9 passes for 83 yards. Still, Foreman ran it for 18 yards on five carries, which he said helped loosen up the Jaguars.

"We was able to be efficient running and passing the ball," Foreman said. "I think we able to flow like that then I think it'd be hard to stop us."

The Browns' next opponent, the New York Giants, have had a hard time stopping anyone running the ball. They rank 28th in the league against the run (163 yards per game), 18th against the pass (205.5) and 26th total yards allowed (368.5).

Foreman said the film belies the statistics, to a point.

"I mean, they flying around to the ball," Foreman said. "Their front is crazy front. They got a lot of dudes up front. I think that's probably the strength of their team defense is up front. But I think if we do what we got to do and just go out there and play our game, I think we can get after those guys."

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: D'Onta Foreman helps Browns run game start to 'make some plays'