Well, it had to happen at some point, right? Things were going too well for the Browns over the last couple weeks. The luck finally ran out, and Kevin Stefanski again shows why an Ivy League education means squat when it comes to common sense, as Cleveland lets a game they almost certainly had in the bag, slip through their fingers.
I’ve seen several frustrating losses during my time as a diehard Browns fan. As I’m sure all of you have too. But I have rarely been this angry over a loss. There was a right thing to do. Stefanski knew what that right thing was. And he just refused to do it. Plain and simple. The man has a massive problem when it comes to calling plays in crunch time. He’s awful at situational football. But this was just one bad decision in a game full of them. Let’s take a look at what went wrong for the Browns.
Shoddy defense
Yes, Myles Garrett and Co. did show up in the second half, and that’s great. But if they had taken control of things early on, they would have been able to be far more aggressive like they’re used to being. This is where I will tip my hat to Seattle and Geno Smith. Smith got the ball out fast. He consistently picked up the Browns’ blitzes, and the Seahawks offensive line neutralized the Cleveland pass rush for most of the day.
The Browns are at their absolute best when they are playing a ball control type of game. Both on offense with the running game, and on defense when their aggressiveness dictates what the opponent does. The Seahawks didn’t let the Browns control the game with the pass rush.
Overall, the Browns only sacked Geno Smith once and hit him three times. That won’t get it done. Neither will giving up 362 total yards, including several big runs and big plays overall. After a stellar first five weeks, the defense has really fallen off when it comes to being dominant. They’re still solid enough to keep the Browns in games, but they have not been truly dominant or scary since at least the Niners game. They need to get back to that next week against Arizona.
PJ Walker isn’t the answer. Especially not for the rest of the season.
Hot take: PJ Walker is a less athletic version of Baker Mayfield. I said what I said. There are several similarities between the two. They’re built similar (6’1, 215 pounds vs. 5’11, 210 pounds). They both genuinely try to lead their team to victory as a field general, and do their best in spite of their flaws. They’re both game managers. And they’re both turnover prone.
I feel the same way about PJ that I did about Baker while he was here: There’s both good or great plays, and awful, boneheaded plays. But there’s not a happy medium in either case. There’s no stability under center. Andrew Berry had better sign or trade for a decent quarterback before November 1st. Or I have no faith in the Browns to make any sort of consistent Playoff run. This offense is talented enough even without Nick Chubb to win ballgames. And the defense is still nasty, even though they’ve been subpar the last couple of weeks. But average to good quarterback play in our current situation is the key to everything.
The Browns did not get good quarterback play from PJ Walker today. He went 15-31 for 248 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Although he had three turnovers total, including the worst one that gave Seattle the ball back for what would be their game-winning score.
For those saying “Start PJ!” because you simply hate Watson, Stop. Just stop. You’re not thinking straight. He’s not a good quarterback. I don’t think either Walker or Watson is the answer right now. But PJ certainly isn’t. Time will tell if Andrew Berry brings a decent veteran quarterback to Cleveland in the next 48 hours. I really hope he does. Because I can’t take much more of PJ Walker turning the ball over at least twice a game. Mayfield was nowhere near this bad at his absolute worst in Cleveland, either. This needs to stop.
Kevin Stefanski: The wannabe genius
Kevin Stefanski is like that kid in class who tries to outsmart everyone else to show how competent he is…only to end up falling flat on his face and looking like an idiot later. Today was one of those days. And I’m so angry about it that I won’t even watch the postgame press conference to see how he rationalizes gifting Seattle the ballgame. There are no excuses. He just sucked when we needed him to come through the most. Simple as that.
I do appreciate his analytical mind in some ways. But there are times where it’s like, “Numbers and stats be damned, Kevin! JUST RUN THE BALL FER CRYIN’ OUT LOUD!” Numbers, playing the odds, and analytics do have their place in sports. But they almost certainly don’t have any place when it comes to common sense, situational football.
The Browns were up three, at the two-minute warning. They had been running the football really well (minus Chubb), with 120+ yards. They only had three yards to go for a first down that would have went a very long way toward icing the game. And even if they didn’t get it on a run? They would have forced Seattle to burn a timeout to save clock. PJ Walker had also been horrible at taking care of the football through the air and on the ground. Only Kevin Stefanski and God Himself knows why he called a pass on third and short. But it was the wrong decision.
Just like the Niners game could be the game that we can point to turning things around if the Browns make the Playoffs, the loss in Seattle could also be a game we point to if Cleveland misses out come January. And decisions like what Stefanski made today is also what could get him fired at the end of the season if the Browns don’t make the Playoffs. Decisions like the one he made in crunch time today could get him canned if things go south. And as mad as I am at him right now. I don’t want to see him fired. But he just can’t do what he did today, and expect to keep his job!
The Browns will have to go back to the drawing board to get back in the win column next week. But they’ll have a winnable game in front of them against a 1-7 Arizona Cardinals team at home.
There’s a logjam of teams that are 4-3 right now. The Browns are squarely in the middle of the fight for the #6 or #7 Playoff spots in the AFC. Getting to 5-2 would have REALLY set them up nicely to turn the corner. But unfortunately it looks like they’ll have to now fight tooth and nail to snag a spot for January. Similar to 2020.
I don’t think they’re out of the running for it. But losing today in Seattle really hurt. The Browns need to make some moves before the trade deadline on Tuesday, and play smarter football from here on out.
Hang in there, Dawg Pound. Go Browns!
Statistical Leaders
PJ Walker: 15-31, 248 yards, TD, 2 INTs
Kareem Hunt: 14 carries, 55 yards, TD
Amari Cooper: 6 receptions, 89 yards
Picture Credit: clutchpoints.com
