It’s victory Monday and every Browns fan should be happy, not booing the team in the first minute of the game. The Browns just beat the best team (by record) in the AFC North and are still in the playoff hunt. Because of the results of week 14, the Browns are now second in the division and jumped from eleventh to eighth in the AFC playoff standings. Let’s get to it.
Positives. After a slow start, the offense in the first half started to show signs of life. Three drives, 17 points. Even after the interception by QB Baker Mayfield, the defense held the Ravens to a field goal. Then DE Myles Garrett made the game changing play I’ve been waiting for, strip sack, fumble, recovery and a defensive touchdown. Even the referees helped the Browns. Weird right? Mayfield, TE Austin Hooper, WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR Jarvis Landry and the offensive line were the stars on offense. You didn’t hear RT James Hudson’s name mentioned at all. Good job by the rookie. The story of the game though was the defense. Garrett, DE Jadeveon Clowney, DE Takk McKinley, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, CB Denzel Ward, CB Troy Hill, S John Johnson, III and S Grant Delpit were outstanding. The defense held the Ravens to four or fewer plays on eight of their thirteen offensive possessions. The Ravens were one of twelve on third down conversions. The Browns defense had four sacks and caused two fumbles. Incredible. I think the Browns have a new punter and WR JoJo Natson is such a smart player.
Negatives. The second half offense. On the two touchdown drives in the first half, the offense moved the ball so you know it can be done. When the running game wasn’t working, the Browns did short five-to-six-yard passes on first down. Very smart. In the second half, nothing was working and when it did, the Browns kicker missed a field goal. The Browns have scored one touchdown in the last eight fourth quarters and been outscored in the fourth quarter 105 to 52. How in the hell is this team still in the playoff hunt? How do they have seven wins? Head coach Kevin Stefanski needs to go for the throat like he did in the first half last year when he knew the defense was bad and had to pile on points. Please keep WR JoJo Natson as the punt returner. Thank you. When you know, the other team is going to attempt an onside kick, watch the kicker and the ball, please. Thank you.
Scoreboard Watching Week 15. The Browns play the Raiders who are a mess right now, but QB Derek Carr seems to have some his best games versus the Browns. Beat the Raiders and root for the Chiefs over the Chargers Thursday night, the Patriots over the Colts Saturday night, the Titans over the Steelers, the Panthers over the Bills, the Broncos over the Bengals and the Packers over the Ravens. If all that can happen, brace yourselves, the Browns will be in first place in the AFC North with three games to play. The Browns haven’t won two games in a row since September, December would be a nice time to start. Everybody stay safe and Go Browns.