3 Browns whose stock is down after losing to the Jets.
All the Browns had to do was win. Win and 17-years of frustration would be wiped away with the clinching of a playoff berth.
Browns fans know not to get too excited, though. These, after all, the Browns, a team so creative that their stadium is probably known by more as the Factory of Sadness than it’s corporate name, FirstEnergy Stadium.
The Browns entered the contest losing four of their top receivers, in addition to three other starters, but a the adversity proved too much for Cleveland to overcome a one-win Jets team.
Despite the losses, the Browns were still 6.5 point favorites to stomp out New York, and why not? For the last few weeks, every football Baker Mayfield was touching turned to gold. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt were finally getting the respect nationally they deserved.
Alas, the Browns never found a rhythm, save for a few drives in the second half. Their inability to overcome dire circumstances has brought the season to brink: Win and go to playoffs, lose and unless you get some help, your season ends.
Here’s five Browns whose stock dropped in defeat.
1. Kevin Stefanski
Baker Mayfield threw 53 passes, far too many for a team that was down it’s top four receivers. Of course, the Browns had to amp up the passing game when trailing in the second half, however, Stefanski got a way from the Browns game plan way too early.
When the game was 13-3, Stefanski all but abounded the rushing attack, as Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt mustered just four yards on eight attempts. The running backs finished with net 45 rushing yards. Pounding the ball is the Cleveland’s way of life, and the lousy Jets–of all teams–are the ones that forced Stefanski to get away from their signature style.
Chubb finished with 11 attempts, good for 28 yards, while Hunt added 11 yards on four carries. Each had a touchdown.
When the film of this game is dug up from the catacombs of the Factory of Sadness, fans will wonder why Stefanski leaned so heavily on his passing attack when his troops were not at full strength.
Mayfield threw on 9 of the team’s first 11 plays, all to backs and tight ends. Chubb mustered 0 yards on his first five carries.
Stefanski’s call was the equivalent of going to the store and buying bread, without the butter. The Browns denied their identity and played to a weakness, a setback they could never overcome.
Stefanski will bounce back. He’s a bonafide coach of the year candidate and personally, I think he’s the right choice for the Browns. Think of all the teams who will be looking for a coach this winter who wish they had Stefanski.
The decision to sneak Mayfield, a third time, was also questionable on the final drive. It had already worked twice. I knew it was coming, so you bet the Jets knew it was coming. This team has Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Perhaps they would’ve been the better option.
There’s plenty to rant about, but onSunday, with the playoffs on the line, proved not to be the first year head coach’s day.
2. The OL depth
The Browns knew they were going to be without Wyatt Teller, and just when the team looked like it would be saved by Jedrick Willis returning from the COVID-19/Reserve list, the rookie left tackle fell ll and missed the start.
That meant rookie Nick Harris got the start at guard and Kendall Lamm was given the nod at left tackle.
Bottom line, this wasn’t a good one for the Browns’ offensive line depth. The Jets defensive line won the battle the battle of the trenches in a contest, where if all the Browns starters are healthy, they would’ve come close to winning.
Lamm got beat by Tarell Basham on the Mayfield strip sack, while, a week after filling in strongly at guard, Harris had a rough day at the office in his first start surrendering a sack and two pressures, according to PFF. He also got beat on three other occasions, according to the website.
Bottom line: The Browns really missed Chris Hubbard (knee), their do everything sixth man.
Teller (ankle) is expected to return for the season finale against Pittsburgh next Sunday, while it’s expected Wills will also be healthy.
3. Harrison Bryant
Maybe it’s unfair to put Harrison Bryant, here. I mean, the idea of Clevelands’ three tight ends stepping up and covering for losing their top four receives sounds great, but in reality, while extremely athletic, the Browns’ wideouts aren’t Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins and Donovan Peoples-Jones.
That said, Harrison was expected to deliver when he was needed most, and he was rather unspectacular, catching just three of seven targets for 37 yards. It was the most targets Bryant has seen in an NFL game.
It turns out, tight end was a target Mayfield, as he looked Auston Hooper’s way 15 times. The big free agent signing wasn’t very efficient though, catching only seven of those throws for 71 yards. Yes, some of that’s on Mayfield, but there were a couple Hooper probably should’ve had.
Expectations for Bryant ramped up in training camp, when he pasted David Njoku by on the depth. Now, Browns fans should consider the organization picking up Njoku’s option a good move. When Mayfield does look in his direction, Njoku has picked some decent yardage.
Speaking of Njoku, he caught all four of his targets, but just for 26 yards.
4. Cody Parkey
The Browns have a problem that can’t be fixed with Cody Parkey missing another extra point try. He’s now missed four kicks in his last three games.
If he’s not converting point afters against the Jets, how do you feel about him kicking into the wind of the Dawg Pound against the Steelers with a trip to the playoff on the line?
Matt Stover, Matt Barr and Phil Dawson aren’t walking through that door, so the Browns will live and die with Parkey.
Browns fans are preparing for the worst, because they’re well aware of Parkey missing a kick that would’ve advanced the Bears in the playoffs back in 2018.
Parkey was initially stellar when the Browns named him the starter and released Austin Seibert after the first week of the season. Parkey’s been off lately, and another missed extra-point doesn’t signal he’s coming out of it.
With the playoffs basically starting for this team next week, the Browns simply can’t let the game come down to a kick.