Cleveland Browns playoff hopes and the temperature in Cleveland reach the same number in this weeks’ 3 Good and 3 Bad

New Orleans Saints knock the Cleveland Browns out of the playoff race for good.

The Cleveland Browns and the New Orlean Saints somehow had an even uglier game this week, than the Browns had last week against the Baltimore Ravens. Last week was due to bad quarterback play, and uninspiring offenses. This week, the weather had a lot to say as the Saints down the Browns 17-10, eliminating the Browns from playoff contention.

For an idea of how bad the weather was, the Browns stadium looked like it never exceeded 2/5 capacity all game. Considering how cold the weather was, no one should blame those who didn’t show up. The NFL should’ve moved the game, and not made everyone suffer.

The weather for most of the game was near zero, and with the wind chill, was far under zero. That type of weather is never advantageous for good offensive production. Not only is the ball stiffer and harder to catch, but the wind also affects balls thrown or kicked too far. Sometimes the wind will take it with it even further, a good thing for punts but other times the wind will slap the ball and alter its trajectory.

Sometimes by a lot, other times by enough, but either way it hurts the offense. It also hurts the special teams as well, with kicking not being an option in a lot of instances. This forces the Browns and head coach Kevin Stefanski to alter how they call games. Granted, the man has an issue kicking field goals in good weather, but in this weather, his hesitance is justified.

That doesn’t mean the Browns didn’t play badly at times. Despite feeding Nick Chubb a lot, the Browns’ offensive line could not get Chubb the same kind of production. Chubb averaged just 3.8 yards per carry. This was with Ethan Pocic returning to the team.

And while we all agree the winter weather affected performance to a degree, it’s also fair to point out that the embattled Deshaun Watson was anything but good. He held onto the ball too long, overthrew more than a few passes, and was unable to match the Saints’ output.

It’d be one thing if Watson couldn’t move the ball at all through the air. But the thing is, there were a few plays he looked really good. He got the ball to several key receivers, especially on the final drive, highlighting the fact that he could in fact make plays in the weather.

I’d be more inclined to give Watson the benefit of the doubt that it was all the weather’s fault for his poor play if we hadn’t seen Watson play just like this in prior games.

Now, he wasn’t helped out at all by his receivers. Amari Cooper dropped a touchdown pass, and Donovan Peoples-Jones was nowhere to be seen. David Njoku had a predictable drop in the clutch, and David Bell may have been the reason for Watson’s interception. Though one could also argue the ball was off the mark as well.

If he had looked bad all game, you can easily say it was the weather, but that wasn’t the case, so he doesn’t get to use that as an excuse. He’s got to start playing better, no more excuses.