I know I usually wait 48 hours to write a blog after a Browns loss, but this really doesn’t feel like your normal Browns loss. Yes, a loss is a loss, but there are many positives. For some reason, even after losing to the Ravens, I feel better about the Browns if they make the playoffs. The Browns are 9-4 and still hold the fifth seed in the playoffs. Winning the AFC North is no longer in reach, but like I said in an earlier blog, it was a long shot. This team never gave up last night and QB Baker Mayfield played like a franchise quarterback. More importantly, head coach Kevin Stefanski is showing the confidence in Mayfield to open up the play book. Stefanski is the only NFL first year head coach with a new team this season to have a winning record. The other first year coaches are Ron Rivera (6-7), Joe Judge (5-8), Mike McCarthy (4-9) and Matt Rhule (4-9). Let’s go to the positives.
On offense, the best example of Stefanski opening the up the play book was the pass play by Jarvis Landry. Mayfield fakes to Chubb and throws the ball to Landry and then points down field. Landry stands there looking towards the end zone. Then at the last minute. throws the ball across the field the Chubb to set up a screen play. Damn, that’s genius. Mayfield finished 28 for 47, 343 yards, two touchdown passes, one interception and one rushing touchdown. After the interception, Mayfield probably played his best ball. That’s called growth. Mayfield is ninth in the NFL in total QBR. The Browns had 471 yards of total offense verses the Ravens. Again the offensive line allowed no sacks. They are tied for fifth in the NFL for the fewest sacks with 17. Every team in the top nine would make the playoffs if they started today. The highest offensive line ratings per Pro Football Focus for the Browns offensive line were Bitonio (86.2), Teller (93.8) and Conklin (84.1).Without OBJ, Donovan Peoples-Jones has really stepped up. Remember he started the season on the inactive list for a couple of games. He has ten catches for 238 yards, 23.8 yards per catch. On defense, the Browns sacked Lamar Jackson four times. However they all came in the first half. DE Olivier Vernon and DT Sheldon Richardson played their butts off.
As for the negatives, the defense. The linebackers disappeared. Mack Wilson had zero tackles. Zero. If this team doesn’t get a turnover, it’s going to be a long game. The defense really missed Denzel Ward and Ronnie Harrison. DC Joe Woods should have adjusted and put a “spy” on Jackson. DE Myles Garrett seemed to disappear at times. I know he was tripled teamed for most of the game and he’s still recovering from Covid, but the Browns just needed one game changing play. The special teams are a mess. Just call them the not-so-special teams. As for the officials, how in gods name do you miss 15 guys on the field. Fifteen? Stefanski had to use his challenge flag for them to see it. The offensive pass interference on Peoples-Jones was complete crap, as was the intentional grounding. Hey NFL, it’s a prime time game in December featuring two teams with winning records, how about some quality NFL referees? With New England struggling, you would think the good ones were available.
On the injury front, Garrett, Jedrick Wills and Wyatt Teller are going to be evaluated during the week. Teller and Wills have ankle injuries and Garrett hurt his elbow. I expect all to play next Sunday. Stefanski said in his press conference today, he expects Ward, KhaDarel Hodge and Austin Hooper to be back on the practice field this week. The only other injury to report was Andrew Sendejo, who suffered a concussion. New safety Tedric Thompson is learning the defense and should be ready to play verses the Giants.
Moving forward to this weeks games with playoff implications, the Titans play the Lions, the Colts play the Texans, the Dolphins play the Patriots and the Ravens play the Jaguars. Currently the Browns have a two game lead on the Raiders, a one game lead on the Ravens and the Dolphins and are tied with the Titans and the Colts. The Browns have the tie breakers verses the Titans and the Colts. The Raiders look like they peaked early. The Dolphins have a great defense, but are struggling on offense and the Ravens have an incredibly easy schedule for the rest of the season. The Browns will face the Giants Sunday night (I still can’t believe the Browns got flexed to the Sunday night game). I watched a little of the Giants/Cardinals game on Sunday. They do have a good defense, but no offense. If a team can score 20 on them, the Giants don’t have the fire power to come back. The Browns might be facing former Browns QB Colt McCoy Sunday night, so be prepared for another prime time walk down memory lane. I have complete confidence Kevin Stefanski can get this team to forget about the Ravens game and be prepared to face the Giants. The Ravens were supposed to have one of the best defenses the Browns played all year. The Browns erased a 14 point deficits last night twice. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.