A Grim Prognosis: Cleveland Browns Fall to 0-11
This past Sunday the League’s Worst Team, the Cleveland Browns, slipped—or more appropriately, sank like a bag of dead kittens in a lake—to a historic 0-11, following a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. I use the term ‘historic’ loosely here. After extending their losing streak to 29 of their last 32 games, the Browns dipped the franchise record below .500 for the first time since joining the league in 1950. That’s 66 years in the NFL—and 66 years without a single Super Bowl appearance. So in a sense it’s business as usual in Cleveland—bad business. Granted, the Super Bowl didn’t come into existence until 1967, but the fact remains that Cleveland has been largely synonymous with mediocrity throughout their history. And now, they’ve taken mediocrity to a new low. With only five games left to play in 2016, the possibility of an 0-16 record looms like the hooded wraith of death over Cleveland, like a freshly polished guillotine, like an elephant-sized anvil hanging over a blueberry. And it just might take a God-given miracle to squeak out a win before the season ends.
Cleveland Browns QB Josh McCown takes a hit from Pittsburgh DE Stephon Tuitt during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Sunday’s game against the Steelers proved a pitiful outing for the Browns. It took them two and a half quarters to put their first points on the board by way of a 24 yard field goal. After punctuating Cleveland’s first drive of the game with a downfield interception, QB Cody Kessler remained largely inept until leaving the game with a concussion at the end of the third quarter. He finished 7 of 14 with 128 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. Kessler has now suffered three injuries in the past eight games, including two concussions. His backup, Josh McCown managed a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, but later fumbled on their own goal line, which the Steelers recovered for a defensive touchdown. With Robert Griffin III still not cleared for full contact, it is unclear which quarterback will start against the Giants next week. But the real question is, does it even matter?
Through eleven games, Cleveland has averaged 16.7 points offensively. Their turnover differential stands at -0.6, with as many interceptions (12) as they have passing touchdowns. The offensive line has allowed a staggering 38 sacks—which explains the ever-spinning QB carousel. (They might as well put a ziplock bag of pudding under center, since that’s what all their quarterbacks are looking like anyways). And then there’s the defense. Oh god, the defense. Twelve weeks into the season, they’ve given up 2921 yards, while allowing an average of 29.5 points per game and a league-worst 25 touchdowns.
Looking at their roster, the only redeemable name in the bunch is Terrelle Pryor Sr., who leads the team with 56 receptions and 724 yards receiving. Following the game, Pryor called out his teammates and Browns management for allowing their QBs to take so many hits.
“It’s bullcrap,” Pryor told the media in the post-game locker room. “We can’t keep doing this and we can’t keep getting our guys hit. It’s as simple as that.” Bullcrap indeed, Mr. Pryor. Bullcrap indeed. After letting two of their starting offensive linemen—center Alex Mack and tackle Mitchell Schwartz—leave in the Free Agency, tackle Joe Thomas remains as the only viable man on the front five. But it takes more than a left tackle to protect the quarterback and make room for the running back. Throughout the game against Pittsburgh, the Steelers took advantage of the Browns’ mismatched blocking assignments. Despite coming into the game with only 13 sacks, the Steelers terrorized Kessler and McCown, sacking them a total of eight times, and hitting them another six. Not to mention they notched 10 tackles for a loss and the aforementioned forced fumble. Coach Hue Jackson said he’d have to examine the film in order to pinpoint the errors. But it’s going to take more than an in-depth tape session to know what’s rotten in Cleveland.
As the team plunges deeper into the depths of a winless hole, Jackson knows he’s got to guard against loss of morale. But how can a team that’s been dominated all season in every facet of the game not get their heads down?
“It is extremely difficult,” Jackson said. “There is no question it is. I think we all get that. But I am going to keep changing hats … psychology hats, whatever hat I have to wear with this group.” You have to wonder if Jackson has enough hats in his closet to help his ailing team. Next week, the Browns face the Giants (7-3) who’ve won five straight. So expect more of the same from this winless squad. And by more of the same, I mean lots of missed opportunities, inept quarterbacks, Swiss cheese blocking, sacks on sacks, and a whole heap of defensive errors. But while the prognosis looks grim for Cleveland, at least they can find solace in a potential first overall pick in the 2017 draft. At this point though, any sliver of a silver lining is apt to look less like glittering silver than the name of the franchise–brown…an effluvial, odorous brown.
