Browns Playoff: 3 good and 3 bad from season ending loss to Chiefs
By Chad Porto
Bad
Nick Chubb biffing three passes
Nate Burleson made a great point at half time, maybe the lights were too bright for Nick Chubb? Three times Chubb dropped the ball and while yes, one was a bit low, they were all catchable. Chubb was still Chubb when it came to rushing the ball, but any debate about Chubb being a “better receiver than he shows” ended today. He’s not a pass catcher.
Rashard Higgins not protecting the ball
A lot of people want to ignore the issue here. Yes, the helmet-to-helmet should’ve been called. It wasn’t the only one that should’ve been either. That doesn’t take away the fact that had Rashard Higgins protected the ball then the team doesn’t lose it through the endzone. That ball flew out of his hands because of the fact he didn’t have it secured. That’s 100% on Higgins. That doesn’t excuse the helmet-to-helmet shot. Yet, it didn’t seem to hurt Higgins, so it’s far more likely he lost the ball because he was holding onto it with just his fingers and not necessarily because of the hit. Plus, even Kevin Stefanski said he shouldn’t have done it. Hopefully, receivers and runners stop doing the nose-to-cone touch.
The play calling
Yes, Kevin Stefanski got us to the playoffs. Yes, Stefanski’s play-calling was bad today. Both things are true. No, there is no need to fire Stefanski and it’s ok to admit he needs to improve. He’s a rookie. He has to improve anyway from year to year or this team will get figured out and beaten. It’s ok to point out that the coaching failed us. It happens. Sometimes you just don’t get the job done and Stefanski and Joe Woods didn’t get the job done today.