Following the Strangest and most heart-wrenching loss in a long time, it’s fair and understandable for BrownsFans to be angry, confused and disgusted at the state pass defense. A home game is given away to the JetsIt is the kind of defeat that can haunt a team in the future. Joe FlaccoIt is impossible to defend the last two minutes.
I get it — and I’ve lived it all, too — but the sky hasn’t necessarily fallen. Really, it hasn’t. It’s just that it might collapse spectacularly if the Browns don’t win this week and the following week at Atlanta.
Quick record scratch. The Browns’ sole focus has to be on here and now, Thursday at home vs. the SteelersSo is ours. Let’s not look into October or even too much into last week. Although it was a bad week, the Browns are still able to get themselves back on track. There are better opponents for a weak pass defense than the Steelers in a quick turnaround. Mitch Trubisky. And it’s not like division play is all that matters in this ever-changing NFL, but for the Browns, it’s fair to assume that division games mean more than most.
All four AFC North team lost last week. The 1-1 Browns are deflated but not done at this all-too-early stage, and they’re playing for at least a share of first place this week. The offense has been better than expected, and even though there’s no video evidence to support this over the last five quarters, the Browns have talented defensive backs who are good enough to spark a turnaround.
Amari CooperWe had a great game last week. Jacoby BrissettIt was efficient, sharp, and sometimes even elusive. The Browns’ early-game offensive script included the kind of variety deception necessary to get things rolling, and the Browns got their ideal blueprint with a chance to let Nick Chubb and Kareem HuntIn the fourth quarter, keep a lead. A team that converts 8 of 12 third downs to the NFL, like the Browns last week, is expected to win by two touchdowns.
The defense was given two more chances to embarrass itself through a chain reaction of regrettable moves and bounces. It did it twice. The Jets receivers were open throughout the day. Grant DelpitIt was targeted and beaten throughout the day and there were clearly communication issues at all levels of the pass defense. The Browns can make great strides in their defense against a notoriously slow-starting enemy by making small steps in defensive communication.
Get Deeper
Browns Rewind: Why Denzel Warren believes that miscommunication is the root cause of Cleveland’s pass defense
On the other side this week is a Steelers offense that’s been criticized — widely and rightly — for not throwing the ball down the field and not getting the ball to super-freak rookie wide receiver George Pickens. Steelers players have been openly questioning the play calling. In two games, there have been eight plays that have led to at least 15 yards. Steelers have more drives that ended with points than three-and-outs.
The Browns’ 20-0 dreams have been dashed. Their hopes of going 4-2 in the division are tied to the next result, not the last one, and that’s always been the goal. Nobody thinks it’s going to take 12 wins to win the AFC North, and nobody’s out of anything in September.
Jadeveon Crlowney is out for at least one game, and that’s a blow to the defense. And for anyone pointing to the nature of last week’s loss and Denzel Ward’s Monday tweet in which he publicly deflected blame making it feel like the Browns might be facing another divided or fragile locker room situation, I hear you. Last week was terrible. Last year was also bad. Last year and the week before it were terrible are over.
This doesn’t have to be last year. The Browns can get well with a win Thursday night, a game in which they have the better offense and a defense that can’t possibly be worse than it’s been since the fourth quarter in Carolina. Kevin Stefanski is well-versed in Steelers play, and the Browns’ offensive performance so far suggests they can win the game they want. Minkah Fitzpatrick.
At least, not yet. There’s a lot of season left, and by Thursday night we’ll have a much better idea of what shape it’s going to take.
Takes and Tidbits
• The debate on whether Stefanski’s hesitance to publicly show emotion really means anything in relation to his coaching aptitude can wait for another day. In any case, he showed his anger when he uncharacteristically chucked his headset as Flacco’s 66-yard pass hit the hands of Davis to keep the game alive last week. Because Stefanski pacing the sideline was as close to Davis as anyone on the field wearing an orange helmet was, it’s understandable.
• Of course the blame game was played in the wake of that loss, and in various ways over the last several days Stefanski, Chubb and Cooper all publicly took responsibility for plays and decisions made (or not made). I don’t really believe Stefanski ignored the Browns’ small landing zone and window to end that game with a seven-point win — especially after Hunt ran out of bounds twice. I absolutely believe that Stefanski told his players they shouldn’t score, but that he’s publicly taking the blame and saying he didn’t. The defense had many chances, but failed multiple times, so the Browns have to just win Thursday night.
• Per Accuweather, there’s a chance that winds could reach 20 MPH Thursday night. We know there’s a history of swirling and unpredictable winds inside FirstEnergy Stadium and that kicking into the Dawg Pound (east) end has often been an adventure, so stay tuned. The Browns and Steelers played a game in adverse weather in Week 1 of the 2018 season, so there’s precedent for conditions becoming a factor even in September.
• The Browns are 7-2 all-time at home on Thursday nights and have won six in a row. They defeated the BroncosLast year with backup quarterback Case KeenumLeading the way and playing a breakthrough game at No. 3 Running back D’Ernest Johnson, who’s been inactive for the first two games. The Browns still believe they’re going to need all four of their running backs over the course of the season as Chubb and Hunt continue to drive everything, but Johnson is a trade candidate should another team lose one of its top runners to injury. Johnson and Hunt both are under contract through the season. Jerome FordThe bullpen is still open.
• For someone who’s never really done it before, Ford is off to a solid start as the Browns’ primary kick returner. The punt return game remains an adventure that the Browns for some reason can’t correct. Punter Corey Bojorquez was great in last week’s second half, and his two punts to bail out the offense should have played a role in the Browns holding on to that win.
• The Browns’ offensive line has been good to this point. The team was signed Ethan Pocic in the third week of free agency, and he’s played well as the starting center. James Hudson is far from a finished product, but he’s held up well at right tackle. Jack Conklin will be back in that spot soon — and probably this week — but Hudson’s development is a positive sign for this season and into the future. Pro Bowl guards are still a big threat to the Browns’ downfield blocks. Joel Bitonio Wyatt TellerThey trailed Bitonio several times last week in major situations. Both were not on the early injury reports but the Browns expect Bitonio will play and Conklin his season debut.
Injury Report
Clowney (ankle) will miss at least this week, and his status for the Browns’ Oct. 2 game in Atlanta remains uncertain. Myles Garrett popping up on Tuesday’s injury report with a neck injury was cause for alarm, but Garrett has no injury designation and is expected to start.
Rookie Alex Wright will start opposite Garrett, and given the pass defense’s struggles last week and the extra attention the Jets gave Garrett after Clowney’s exit, the Browns need Wright to be active and productive. This week, the Browns placed defensive ends Chase WinovichEnds that are tight Jesse JamesThey were placed on injured reserve and they have been replaced by linebacker Jordan KunaszykBoth defensive and offensive end Isaac RochellTo the active roster. Rochell and rookie Isaiah ThomasBoth of them will likely both see defensive end snaps against Steelers.
If they wish to promote two practice squad players, the Browns have until Thursday at 4:05 p.m. Undrafted rookies are likely to be drafted due to the tight end. Zaire Mitchell-PadenCould be called up to serve the third tight end. Rookie defensive tackle Perrion WinfreyAfter being inactive last week due to an internal disciplinary issue, he is expected back on the field.
Quote of the Week
“The Steelers have a really good defense. You must know exactly where No. 39 (Fitzpatrick), must be known when you break up the huddle. He is as good as advertised,” — Brissett, who’s new here but is obviously aware of Fitzpatrick’s history of making big plays in Browns-Steelers games.
Joe, do you remember him? Part I
There’s finally a formal first step on the way to Canton for former Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas as Thomas is in his first year of eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Thomas was one of nine first-time Hall of Fame eligibles and among the 129 players who were nominated this week. Inductors will eventually choose 25 semifinalists, and 15 semifinalists, before announcing next February’s 2023 Hall of Fame class.
Thomas was recently inducted into Browns Legends Club. He lives in Wisconsin, but he’s been a frequent visitor to the Browns’ facility throughout the summer.
It’s long been expected — but not official, of course — that Thomas will be a slam-dunk pick as a first-ballot Hall of Famer and that the Browns will play in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton next summer as part of the festivities. The Browns haven’t played in the Hall of Fame Game since their return to the league in 1999.
Joe, do you remember him? Part II
Former Browns and Steelers cornerback Joe Haden has decided to retire, and he’ll eventually sign a one-day contract with the Browns. However, the Browns will honor Haden at an upcoming home game.
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Joe Haden retiring after 12 NFL seasons
Haden, a three time Pro Bowler, was active within the Cleveland community and a popular figure among fans. He was the Browns’ first-round pick in 2010 and for a time became one of the NFL’s top cover cornerbacks. In his seven seasons with Browns, Haden was under five different head coaches.
The release of Haden just ahead the team’s final 2107 preseason game was further confirmation that the group in charge had little to no business running a professional football team and helped set the stage for the 0-16 season that would follow. Haden was signed by Steelers the day after he was cut. His successful tenure there included 66 starts as well as 10 interceptions.
Degenerate Corner
BetMGM had Browns as 4.5 point favorites over Steelers as of Wednesday at noon. ET. The line opened at 3 on Tuesday and reached 5 on Tuesday. The game total was also dropping and stood at 38.5
Given the Browns’ history of not covering tight ends, their zone-heavy coverage schemes and Trubisky’s reluctance to throw down the field, going over 38.5 on the receiving yards total for Steelers tight end Pat FreiermuthThis seems like a great way to spice up your Thursday night digital viewing experience.
Official** prediction
It’s another Browns game down to the last-second field goal. I can’t trust this Browns defense to fully bounce back — not even against Trubisky — but I trust that Cade York will. York at the buzzer.
Browns 19, Steelers 17.
Year totals: ATS (2-0), game total (0-2)
(Top photo of Kareem hunt: Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
