by There are several reasons the Cleveland Browns lost at home to start a season yet again! Here are 3 of the biggest that caused their 17-16 defeat to Ohio rival Cincinnati.
Kicking game
Between short kickoffs and a lousy punt in the first half, the Bengals routinely started with great field position. In fact, their starting position in the first half for their 4 drives was
32 yard line following a kickoff.
40 yard line following a kickoff.
46 yard line following a punt.
26 yard line following a kickoff.
Mix that in with brand new rookie placekicker Andre Szmyt missing an extra point attempt in the third and then the possible game winning field goal in the fourth, both chip shots, and it cost the Browns the game.
Dropped Passes and turnovers
Say what you want, but Joe Flacco looked good. He went 31 of 45 for 290 yards with a touchdown and two picks. The two interceptions were not his fault as both bounced off the hands of would be receivers Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman. One cost them the possible game winning drive and the other created a short field for the Bengals to eventually kick what became the game winning field goal at 17-16. You cannot blame this one on Flacco.
Lack of running game
Cleveland had no running game to speak of today as Jerome Ford was limited to 8 yards on 6 carries while rookie Dylan Sampson went for 29 yards on 12 carries. The Browns need Quinshon Judkins in the lineup making plays as soon as possible.
