Zac Taylor and Co. still going through growing pains

Another week, more third down and redzone struggles and more questionable playcalling from the coaching staff. There isn’t a good excuse for a staff this late in the season to be going three of 12 on third downs and scoring just once on a handful of redzone trips. But near the goal line, Taylor and Co. opted at one notable point to take out Mixon and stick in shotgun looks, creating scenarios the Browns easily shut down. On one unforgettable attempt, Dalton himself checked into a draw up the middle and was promptly put down. It’s fair to say blocking hasn’t been great, among other excuses. But how Taylor draws it up in practice isn’t working during live action, especially on a short field where it seems almost unfathomable to take a weapon like Mixon off the field, never mind the lack of usage for guys like Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard. This isn’t pounding the table for a hot seat by any means — but there is little time left for this coaching staff to show it can improve.

[vertical-gallery id=25186]