by This recap is brought to you by – https://keeonsports.com/sponsors/
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley nearly handed the Cleveland Browns a gift wrapped win this afternoon, but they still managed to blow it. The Browns had two chances to score late and take the lead or win the game, both times, horrendous play calling and bad decision-making cost them big in their 30-28 loss.
A 12 play, 73-yard drive that took 6:38 off the clock and was constructed perfectly by Kevin Stefanski and executed nearly perfectly by Jacoby Brissett came up empty with one bad decision. Brisset scrambled out of the pocket and was picked off looking for Cooper in the endzone when he could have easily ran for a first down near the goaline. It was the only bad decision made by Brisset on the entire drive, but the only one Browns fans will remember.
Shockingly, when Charger head coach Brandon Staley simply had to punt the ball near midfield with 1:14 to go in the game, he defied all logic and went for it. It was if the Northeast Ohio native knew it didn’t matter how many chances he gave Cleveland, they would blow them all, and they did.
Despite being given a miracle chance, the Browns did little with it. Brisset showed yet again he is unable to run a two-minute drive, and only moved the ball 11 yards in 6 plays to set up Cade York, who has been awful at home this season. For York, if wind is the problem, then kicking at LSU is going to do little to help him. This kid has gone from hero to goat this season.
So again, it comes down to math, the Browns lost by 2 points which makes you take a hard look at the Chargers scoring plays today. Where are 3 points that could have given the Browns the lead and win.
3 points either way…… I can think of four off the top of my head, in which 3 points was either lost or given.
Play 1
45-yard Field Goal attempt missed by Cade York with 16 seconds to go in the first half and the Browns up 21-17. This would have given them a touchdown lead to play with in the second half, and they wouldn’t have fallen behind every time the Chargers scored.
Play 2
Kevin Stefanski opts to go for it, instead of punting from his own 39 yard line, only down 24-21, with 8:55 to play in the third quarter. The Browns get moved backwards, and it leads to a Chargers field goal, increasing their lead by “3 more points”.
Play 3
With 2:55 left in the game, and only down by 2, Jacoby Brissett simply had to throw the ball away, slide, or run out of bounds and Cleveland could have tried a go ahead Field Goal. Instead, he throws an interception directly into the arms of Alohi Gilman.
Play 4
Cade York misses a 54-yard field goal as the Browns lose again.
But that’s not all of it. Where in the world where the fans today? They were sitting on their hands all game and you could barely hear them. It’s almost as if fans are so snake bit, they won’t even allow themselves to believe victory is possible. Just all of it, so frustrating.
On top of all of that, they continue to waste incredible efforts by Nick Chubb who ran for 134 yards and two touchdowns on only 17 carries.
Makes you wish the Guardians fans were filling the stadium instead of Browns fans !!!
John Johnson II got to go . He dies not know how to play zone. He blew two plays on a row horrible tackling skills or lacking totally and then gets called unnecessary roughness 15 yards. I was the only one yelling looked like a fool?? I have been a Brian’s fan since I saw Jim brown at 5 yrs old at old stadium. I know what I’m friggin talking about. He is bane of secondary fir browns
In these close games this year it’s been the coaching decision making. Not sure how they fix that