I know a win is a win, especially for this team at this time, but it is victory Monday. So lets get going. First the negatives. The Browns goal line offense is down right offensive. Thirteen goal line plays and one was negated because of a false start by RT Chris Hubbard on a fourth and one from the one. Which, thank god it happen because it forced Freddie to go for the field goal and at that point in the game was desperately needed. Previously in the game, ten plays from the goal line failed for several reasons. Some were mistakes in play calling and some were execution. Chubb seemed to make a few mistakes, either not hitting the hole fast enough or not running to the pylon on another play. On those twelve goal line plays, Hunt and Chubb were on the field at the same time for only one play. Even if you’re not going to run the ball, play action to either one would have worked. Both are great blockers and the defense would have to respect both players.
After the first fourteen to fifteen scripted plays, the offense seems to lose it’s way. The urgency and execution just seems to be missing. I know you can’t script an entire game, but maybe script plays for certain situations during the game. The defense needs to figure out how to stop running quarterbacks. Ever since the Baltimore game NFL quarterbacks are running against the Browns and scoring touchdowns. As for special teams, the punt return game is not working. I’m not going to get mad at Seibert for missing a 48 yard extra point, but I did have a flashback to the Tennessee game. Landry needs to calm down. The taunting penalty, making it 6-0 and not 7-0, almost came back to bite the Browns. The offensive line was hot and cold, sometimes playing well and sometimes playing bad. Sometimes you have to give the offensive line a chance and call better plays. As an example, deep in your own end of the field, don’t call a pass with an empty backfield. Freddie did and the Browns give up a safety.
Now the positives. Four penalties and no turnovers for the second straight game. The Browns no longer lead the league in penalties. Looks like the practicing is working. Mayfield finally came through in crunch time. Game winning touchdown with 1:44 left in the game. It looked like he called the play himself. We can take Hollywood Higgins picture off the milk carton. Mayfield since the bye, 65.7% passing, 705 yards, four TD’s and only one Int. He’s done this verses the #2, #3 and #4 ranked defenses. I just wish he and Beckham would get on the same page. Beckham had 12 targets and 5 catches. On the other side of the coin, Landry had ten targets and nine catches, the best catch was right before the Higgins TD to the Buffalo seven yard line.
Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are a dangerous duo and the offense should run through both of them. Between the two of them, they attributed for 195 yards. They were on the field at the same time twenty eight times and I want to see more, and like I said earlier, in the goal line offense. On defense, Sheldon Richardson stepped up and played a great game. As did Chad Thomas, Denzel Ward and Mack Wilson. Wilson is still making some rookie mistakes, but they are becoming fewer every game. My one problem with the defense is turnovers. They only have nine turnovers after nine games. Myles Garrett came close to causing a fumble, but it was ruled an incomplete pass. I’m still waiting for Garrett to be a game changer on defense, but he seems to be held on just about every play. Have I said how impressed I am with Austin Seibert? The kid looks like a veteran kicker out there.
So now it’s steelers week and the Browns have three days to get ready. I don’t see any reason why the Browns can’t win this game. The steelers defense is legit, but their offense is not that impressive. They do take the ball away and that helps their offense. So if the Browns can control the ball and don’t turn it over, they should win. Myles Garrett should harass Mason Rudolf all night and the defense has their best chances for turnovers. RB James Conner was still questionable as I write this and with out him the steelers can’t run the ball. The Browns need to use the steeler aggressiveness on defense against them like they did against the ravens.
The Browns get their first home win and it may have been ugly but again, a win is a win. With the next two games at home, the Browns can build on this one and hopefully string some much needed wins together. 10-6 is still possible, but it all starts with the next home game. Go Browns.
Last, because it’s Veterans Day, I was pleasantly surprised to see CBS show the WW II submarine the USS Cod when they came back from a commercial break. It’s next to the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame and my late Uncle Bill served on the Cod. As a matter of fact, he was the radioman on the Cod and his picture is on the radioman’s shack door. He had some Big adventures on that sub and I was lucky enough to have him tell me about them.