Mourning After… A Defeat

Oct 20, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski argues a defensive interference call with line judge Jeff Bergman during the game against the Green Bay Packers in the 4th quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Morning After is our weekly recap of the Browns game from the day prior. Yesterday’s game was the first game that the Browns didn’t seem to have a chance to win, and weren’t leading at halftime. Instead there were chances to get back into the game but no point where the team seemed like they could pull it out.

Recap

The first drive was a sign of what was to come. The Browns went 3 and out with Brandon Weeden missing Greg Little badly on 2 throws. After a short punt and a good return the Packers used a 4 play drive to go 40 yards and score a TD, on great run after the catch by tight end Jermichael Finley. The Browns moved the ball some on their next drive thanks to a roughing the punter penalty and 1 long pass to Little, but failed to convert on a 4th and 1, on a Weeden INT. This led to another Packer TD, and a 14-0 deficit. In the middle of the second the Browns had a long 13 play, 60 yard drive lead mostly by the running game and a few short passes, leading to a 46 yard field goal. Yet the Packers answered with a FG of their own right before half to go into the locker room up 17-3.

In the second half the Pack looked bored. Aaron Rodgers had masterfully manipulated the Browns defense in the first half seemed to allow the game to happen right in front of him. No big mistakes but certainly no urgency on the offensive side of the ball. The scored stayed the same going into the 4th quarter. The Browns drove to the Packer 31 during their first possession and decided to go for it on 4th and 15 instead of attempting a 48 yard field goal. Weeden found Josh Gordon with a pass but Gordon’s effort lacked and a GB defender was able to knock the ball out of Gordon’s hands for a turnover. On the Packers next drive Finley was knocked out of the game, and taken off on a stretcher after a hit by the Browns Tashaun Gipson. The Browns were flagged for 15 yards on the hit but replays showed Gipson led with his shoulder and Finley had taken 3 steps before the hit. Finely had movement in all extremities according to reports. The Packers scored 3 plays later. The Browns scored their first TD, on a bullet to Jordan Cameron, on the next possession but was unable to recover the onside kick with 2 tries. Browns defenders then started slipping on the wet ground in the next possession leading to another Packer score.

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

Offensive Line – Tough to find a real star of this game but the offensive line gave Weeden alot of protection, even though he was sacked 3 times. The Browns didn’t run consistently enough to let the line get in rhythm in the running game but blocks were sustained enough to get decent gains against a tough front 3.

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

Josh Gordon – Gordon’s effort during the game was lacking. He seemed to wander on routes, give up even when the ball was thrown to him and generally show some immaturity. The 4th down pass was not perfect but Gordon going to get the ball instead of waiting for it would of changed the momentum of the game.

We will analyze more of this game today and this week as we look forward to a tough Chiefs game, the only undefeated team in the league.