Cleveland Browns: 3 good things and 3 awful things from Week 4

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Oct 4, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) scores a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bad

Myles Garrett taking key defensive series off

For all the talk of Myles Garrett being a freak of nature, he was the only player that took off the last scoring drive from the Dallas Cowboys. Garrett left the field as the Cowboys were marching on the Browns in what would become an eventual touchdown for the Cowboys. Despite the Cowboys huddling up during the drive in the red zone at least once, Garrett didn’t return until after the Cowboys had already made it a three-point game. Garrett had a monster first-half but was a non-factor in the second as the Cowboys marched down the field. Many times Garrett was getting stood up by TE Dalton Schultz. Garrett had a good first half, but he can’t disappear for an entire half if the Browns are going to win games.

The rest of the Browns secondary

Karl Joseph and Terrence Mitchell are so bad at coverage. Joseph seems to be cheating toward one half of the field all the time to make up for his shortcomings as a safety (a clear reason why Oakland parted ways with him). Mitchell on the other hand had to have his mother call the Dallas Cowboys at half time because of reports of bullying. Prescott apparently wouldn’t stop picking on him. Nor should he have, as Mitchell was giving up big play after big play. It’s no surprise Mitchell led the Browns with 12 tackles on the game, they threw the ball to whomever he was covering.

Offensive playcalling in the 4th quarter

You’re averaging seven yards a carry, and on second and four, you decide to pass the ball? Did Kevin Stefanski get high on some turnovers and think he actually had a defense? Sorry, Stefanski, the Browns lucked into a lot of that first-half goodness, they didn’t ’85-Bears them to death. The gadget play to Beckham was nearly a 20-yard loss and would’ve been if Aldon Smith knew how to wrap and tackle. The Browns got lucky in the 4th quarter and the Browns need to know that. Being lucky isn’t enough. Be good, play to your strengths, and when you have a 24 point lead in the 4th and the ability to get seven yards a carry, YOU RUN THE BALL.

Stop trying to outsmart the other team at that point. Be predictable. It’s ok.

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