A Mourning After… A Defeat (and The Flip Pick)

Oct 13, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Morning After is our weekly recap of the Browns game from the day prior. Yesterday’s game was a big come down from the excitement of 3 wins in a row.

Recap

The first half went well for the Browns. The Browns only got 2 first downs in the first quarter punting twice. The Lions led 7-0 after one quarter on a 1 yard touchdown pass.  The Browns “won” the second quarter with a short touchdown pass on a drive started with a 45 yard end around to dynamo Travis Benjamin. On their next possession Brandon Weeden threw his first INT, on a great leaping catch by Lions’ LB DeAndre Levy who was in blanket coverage on a ball that should not be thrown. The Lions struggled in the second quarter, getting only 1 first down. The Lions limitations on offense led to another touchdown pass from Weeden on a good throw in the redzone. A 3 play “drive” by the Lions led to a short drive, led by a 36 catch and run by Josh Gordon, and a 40 yard field goal for a 17-7 lead at half.

The second half was bad football for the home team. The Browns got zero first downs in the 3rd quarter while the Lions offense found their rhythm by hitting Reggie Bush and others over the middle of the field. Bush scored on a 18 yard touchdown reception down the middle of the field. The Lions could of scored again but a great pass deflection by Buster Skrine led to a Tashaun Gipson interception in the endzone. The Browns had a total of 6 yards in the quarter. The 4th started as bad with a punt and a Lions drive for a touchdown. The next drive by the Browns had 1 of huge calls by the referees that was impactful on the game. On 2nd and 25 Weeden found Greg Little on the sideline. Little caught the ball dragged 1 foot then touched the heel of his other in bounds. The ruling on the field was that Little was out of bounds. The Browns challenged but the call was not reversed. Two plays later the Browns punted, gave the Browns 15 yards on a penalty giving the Lions great field position. They only gained 8 yards but kicked a  yard field goal.

With the Browns down 7 this happened:

Yep he threw a under handed pass over halfway across the field that was intercepted by a player that was about 8 yards away when the ball was “thrown.” The Browns were still only down 7 and seemed to have stopped the Lions and forced a punt but a roughing the passer call on the Browns gave the Lions new life after a 3rd down incompletion. Quentin Groves started to tackle Stafford as the ball was thrown. He continued the tackle to the ground but seemed to let up on the way down. After the 15 yard penalty and first down the ran the ball to force the Browns to call timeouts, then hit for another passing touchdown.

Factory Player (For the Browns’ Star Player of the Game)

Joe Haden – While Calvin Johnson was hurt, Joe Haden held him down all game. Haden held him to 3 receptions and 25 yards. Johnson was on the field for limited plays but when he was Haden got physical with him and kept him out of his rhythm.

Sadness Player (For the Browns’ Player who Made Fans Sad)

Brandon Weeden – This happened, he gets the award:

Dishonorable Mention: Craig Robertson – Robertson was picked on most of the second half by Bush and the tight ends. He didn’t get the depth on coverage and couldn’t stay with anyone. Ray Horton could of done a better job of supporting Robertson, possibly using TJ Ward.

We will analyze more of this game today and this week as we look forward to a tough Packers game.