Because of the short game week, I’m waiving my 48 hour rule for better or worse. The Browns are currently 3-3 and are tied with the Steelers for last place in the AFC North. Personally, I had them at 4-2 at this point. First of all, the season isn’t over. No one is getting traded or fired. There’s still eleven games left and time to simplify and fix the problems. All I know is the Browns need to beat the brakes off of the Broncos on Thursday night and go into the mini bye to heal up and self scout. My main problem with yesterday was how flat the team was. No fire, no anger that they let one get away in Los Angles, flat. Note to head coach Kevin Stefanski, either kick the field goal on fourth and four or draw up a better play. Four sacks on four fourth down plays. Really? The Cardinals loaded the line of scrimmage to stop the run. Why not run a bubble screen? Or a jet sweep? Wear the defense down early by having them go east and west, then start to pound them up the middle in the third quarter. Makes sense to me.
As for the defense, safety John Johnson, III told the local media he’s playing a position he’s not used to playing. How about playing him closer to the line of scrimmage and not in coverage? That’s how the Rams used him. Arizona had a new center and during the game he had trouble snapping the ball. I saw one pressure up the middle by DT Malik McDowell and it turned into a sack. The Browns have the talent to rush the quarterback up the middle. You don’t have to blitz, just pressure up the middle. I know the players are learning a new system, but the Cardinals put the ball on the ground four times Sunday, three from bad snaps.
The only thing I’ll say about the officiating, does anyone know when QB Kyler Murray was released for the hospital after that devastating roughing the passer call? Thoughts and prayers. Note to Denzel Ward, stop using your hands so much, the referees are going to call it every time. Every damn time.
The injuries are starting to pile up. RB Kareem Hunt will probably by put on IR this week because of a calf injury. LB Jeramiah Owusu-Koramoah will more than likely join him, with a high ankle sprain. Four to six weeks recovery time on both injuries. As for any players returning for the Broncos game, possibly RT Jack Conklin, but don’t bet the house. Hopefully they’ll get WR Jarvis Landry back.
Now the Denver game becomes a must win. Denver started fast by beating up on bad teams. Since then, the good teams have been boat racing them. They have a great run defense and a terrible offense. The Browns defense will be without JOK but will have everyone else. I know the Browns defense have allowed 84 points in the last two games, but the Broncos are a team this defense can feast on.
Thanks for letting me rant, I feel much better now. Not really, but it’s time to move on to the next game. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.