Browns Fast Start Derailed by Turnovers, Penalties

The Good

Nick Chubb finished the day with 22 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns against the what was the number four run defense in the NFL. He also had five catches for 17 yards. All of this would typically be the formula for victory. Alas, yesterday it was not meant to be. Chubb also fumbled on a poorly executed screen as part of four turnovers by the Browns. Once again, if Nick Chubb has 20+ touches in a game more often than not, good things are happening. Even with four turnovers on the day, the Browns were in the game to the very end. Chubb’s performance was a big key to that.

The Bad

Steve Wilks and the Browns defense were not good once again. After a great start to the game that allowed the Browns to jump out to a 20-6 lead early, the breakdowns began. The missed tackles piled up and disciplined play dissolved into chunk plays by Russell Wilson and the Seattle running game. Watching Wilks and his staff all year, I have only one concern, in-game adjustments.

In each game so far this season, the defense has opened strong with a great game plan in place. Then as the game continues and offenses adjust, I have yet to see a counter by Wilks. Bad throws leading to interceptions in the Rams and Ravens games helped to cover the fact both teams began to move the ball with more ease as the games wore on. While I know four turnovers are hard to overcome the defense must be better if the Browns are to climb out of this 2-4 hole.

The Ugly

Baker Mayfield and the overall passing attack is the clear winner of the ugly portion of this recap. The Browns would start quickly with three scores in the first quarter and lead 20-6 before things began to unravel.

A blocked punt by Seattle led to a field goal making it 20-9. Then on the ensuing drive by the Browns, Baker would throw his first of three interceptions on the day. OBJ collided with a player on a timing route leading to the interception. The Browns defense held up, forcing a punt. The Browns would then drive down, and with 1:50 on the clock, three time outs, and a first and goal, Freddie Kitchens made a terrible call. Instead of handing it to running back Nick Chubb, he called a pass into the endzone. The only thing worse than the call was the throw. It was behind Jarvis Landry and between two Seattle defenders. Baker should have thrown it out of the endzone. Bad call plus lousy pass equals another interception. The Seahawks marched down, making it 20-18 at the half on a Russell Wilson touchdown pass.

The Seahawks would open the half with the ball and be forced to punt. The Browns drive would result in a fumble by Nick Chubb on a poorly executed screen pass. Seattle would take the ball down ad score for a 25-20 lead. At this point, the Seahawks had scored 19 unanswered points and were in full control. The Browns would score one more time to take the lead before Seattle finished off the game with a Chris Carson touchdown followed interception off the hands of Hilliard on the Browns next drive. The final results in the passing game one touchdown, three picks, and at least four dropped passes. Not to mention the Achilles heel of this team all season more penalties. Nine of them to be exact, costing the Browns 83 yards.

Conclusion

The Browns rollercoaster ride continues with more questionable calls, bad throws, and shaky defense. The team is 2-4 and struggling to find any consistency outside of the run game. They will face the 6-0 Patriots after the bye week so 2-5 is on the table. The Browns need to use this time to evaluate who they are and come out with a firm plan in place to get the most out of a talented roster. The rest of the schedule has some very winnable games left. The question is, do the Browns have enough time to make up ground. The time has come for Baker and the gang to put or shut up.

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