I never want to see another Browns game like that ever again. Although they reached 3-1 for the first time since 2001, for a Cleveland fan that game was anything but enjoyable. My dad has burdened me with the emotional rollercoaster that comes with being a Browns fan. In my 8th year of close fanship, things seem to be on the rise, but today wasn’t great evidence of that.
Let’s rewind. The Browns took a commanding 41-14 lead late in the 3rd. We were able to take a breath and relax a little, but we knew it wasn’t over. I had no idea what we’d gotten into.
Dak Prescott then proceeded to put his team and my fantasy team on his back. The Cowboys surgically carried out an offensive onslaught throughout the next twelve minutes of game time. Cleveland’s prevent defense bent and consequently broke three times, letting up three touchdowns and three 2-point conversions. It was then 41-38, and it looked as if Dallas was on pace to replicate the Herculean comeback they pulled off against Atlanta two weeks ago.
A questionable play call of a fake end-around to Odell Beckham Jr. proved to be successful, as he dodged what could’ve been a loss of 15 yards and turned on the jets for a 50-yard score. Following that, the extra point was blocked, recovered by Dallas, fumbled, kicked into the end zone, and recovered by Cleveland for the 2-point. I think I speak for literally everyone when I say I’ve never seen that before.
From an outside perspective, that was one of the best – and craziest – games in recent history. It was heart-wrenching and terrifying for Browns fans. Cleveland did come away with the win, but the game was just further proof that nothing ever comes easy for them.
Superstar RB Nick Chubb left the game in the first and did not return with a knee injury. He could be out for multiple weeks, and hopefully not the rest of the year.
Their defense completely fell apart in the second half, and Dak did whatever he wanted for much of the 4th. This game was reminiscent of Cleveland’s many meltdowns in the 4th, most notably blowing a 12 point lead in two minutes against the Patriots in 2013. From 2010 on, the Browns have blown a lead of at least 10 points fourteen times. In my time of watching, I literally cannot remember a game where I felt confident with the lead until they’re in victory formation.
Now don’t get me wrong, this offense is incredible. Dropping 30+ in back to back to back weeks seemed unfathomable a few seasons ago.
Had you showed me this image in 2017, I would’ve commended you on your phenomenal photoshop skills. Not to mention the addition of guys like Nick Chubb and Denzel Ward.
We seem to have a competent coach, and one of the deepest rosters in the league across the board. I love the energy and personality this team has, and they make exciting plays and execute a lot of them well. There’s a lot to improve on, however.
The team has to hold onto leads and put their foot on the throats of their opponents in a blowout. Their offense was virtually nonexistent for most of the 4th. They got their first 4th down stop, after seven straight conversions by the opposing team. We came into the game banged up on defense and left the game losing our best offensive asset. I understand that’s nothing they can control, but they might be the most historically unlucky team in the NFL.
This team is still learning and growing under a first-year head coach, along with the league’s 4th youngest roster. Sunday’s win was a great one, but it didn’t feel that way. They’ve got a tough division, but a decently easy remaining schedule. I really hope Cleveland can keep this same energy and power their way through the rest of the season, but pump the breaks on the hype train. The Browns were 7-4 in 2014, before eventually dropping their last 5 games and placing last in the division.
It’s still the same old Browns. I will never feel confident in the Browns to get the job done until I see Baker Mayfield holding the Vince Lombardi trophy – and not in a Progressive commercial.