I’ve said it before, and I‘ll say it again: Football can be a wily mistress. A week ago, the Browns dismantled the New York Giants in a very workmanlike manner with Baker setting a franchise record by completing 85% of his passes. We were all anticipating a return trip to Metlife Stadium a week later to take on a 1-13 Jets team in what should have been a tune-up before the big finale with the Steelers. However, the Jets had different ideas, and coming off of their “upset” of the LA Rams, they came to play against the depleted Browns and managed to barely hang on for their second win of the season. So instead of having clinched a playoff berth, the Browns find themselves in a situation where they have to beat Pittsburgh to get into the playoffs. (Look for a preview later this week about Browns-Steelers)
So, I’m not in the camp that is trying to write off this loss as exclusively due to all of the swirling cacophony that erupted less than 24 hours before kickoff. The Browns were missing their entire wide receiving corps, two offensive linemen, and two linebackers, all starters. Obviously it’s tough to plug in back-ups, or even elevated practice squad players and expect smooth execution. (They even had to have their offensive walk through in a parking garage) But I think it’s worth pointing out that the two long touchdowns for the Jets had nothing to do with missing players, it was blown coverages both times. Additionally, not one...not two...but three fumbles by Baker took the game away from us and again, I’m not sure you can point to the COVID situation as contributing to that. Baker said as much in his abbreviated post game presser, and he was clearly bothered by the result and his performance. He said the right things, and took responsibility for his mistakes, but at the end of the day your quarterback cannot put the ball on the turf three times and hope to win. Literally not one thing went as expected; inexplicably the Browns threw the ball 53 times, Kareem Hunt was a non-factor, Cody Parkey was terrible (again), the Browns had 4 rushing yards at halftime, and Austin Hooper seemed to forget how to catch a football. (He caught 4 of the first 5 targets, then only 3 of the next 11 passes that came his way.)
I do think it is worth acknowledging that the Browns were still in a position to beat the Jets despite playing terribly and missing all those players. The unfortunate thing is that the playoffs were on the line, and I’m a bit concerned that the spectre of the longest playoff drought in the league weighs heavily on the collective mind of this team. That’s the bigger concern than the loss, but I do think that Kevin Stefanski is exactly the guy that can get this team to shake off the malaise and be ready to go against Pittsburgh this week. We’ve already seen him manage this team when it has been under adversity. After the brutal loss to Baltimore on Monday Night, the old Browns would have wilted against the Giants, but instead this team went on the road, played smart, efficient football and held the Giants to 6 points. However, Kevin Stefanski is not on the field making split second decisions, Baker Mayfield is. So the question is really about his frame of mind on Sunday, and will having familiar players around him allow him to relax and play as well as he has in recent weeks. Just as important is the focus and play of the defense, especially the secondary. Yes, we’re playing against Mason Rudolph but at this point it looks like just about anybody can throw for 250 yards and 2-3 touchdowns against the Cleveland defense. It is essential that the defense gives Baker a little breathing room by getting some stops and not giving up big chunks of yardage in the game. We’ll know right away if Joe Woods has those guys ready to go on Sunday.
Go Browns.
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