But it could have been. That didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to, but this team has heart and fight. After looking like they were going to get blown out by the Seahawks, the Browns fought back and had the lead. The ball just didn’t bounce the Browns way after two games where it did. Throwing an interception that bounces off an opponent’s helmet is so Browns. Still, down 14-0, this team didn’t quit like former Browns teams have.
If you’re going to complain about the play call on third and three, then you have to give credit to the play calling that brought the team back from a two-touchdown deficit. Most of the people who want Kevin Stefanski fired don’t like him to begin with. Seattle was set up defensively to stop the run on that play. In the fourth quarter, the Browns ran the ball eleven times and threw the ball four times. On the running plays it was first or second down. On the passing plays it was third down. If the quarterback executes the play, the Browns get the first down because there was a Browns player open over the middle. Despite all the problems this team has had to overcome, head coach Kevin Stefanski isn’t the problem. I think he’s grown as a coach. His play calling has improved as has his game management.
I’m getting a little worried about the defense. Third straight game they allowed an opening drive for a touchdown and the third straight game they allowed an opponent to drive down the field and score late. Another game with too many missed tackles. Of their seven games, in only two did they have less than ten missed tackles, the Bengal game and the Titans game. Coaches call the plays, and the players are supposed to execute. Finally, yesterday, there were too many chunk plays given up to the Seahawks. NFL coaches can figure out anything, and they might have figured out Jim Schwartz’s defense.
Pro Football Focus ratings. Offense, TE David Njoku (88.2), RB Kareem Hunt (79.6), WR Amari Cooper (78.8), C Ethan Pocic (71.4) and OT James Hudson, III (68.6). Defense, DT Maurice Hurst (92.4), DE Myles Garrett (78.7), CB Martin Emerson, Jr. (76.6), S Grant Delpit (73.3) and LB Jeremiah Owusu- Koramoah (69.5).
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday October 31 at 4:00pm EST. I don’t really expect the Browns to make a trade. They don’t really need a running back after rushing for 155 yards against Seattle. I heard they might be interested in a wide receiver. It would have to be an upgrade over anything they have on the roster. A third day pick and WR Donovan Peoples-Jones seems to be the compensation. The offensive line again played very well, third straight game, so let’s not mess with it. If it were me, I would go after another pass rusher.
How this team is 4-3 is a miracle. Their quarterback play is terrible, they lost the best running back in the league for the season and they’ve given the ball away seventeen times, which is the most in the league. This team should be 6-1, but this is where I thought they would be after seven games. Beat Arizona and the Browns are 5-3 going into two tough games against Baltimore and Pittsburg. Finally, I ‘ve heard Deshaun Watson should be back for the Raven’s game. Let’s hope it’s the Titans game Watson. Stay safe and Go Browns.