Category: Game Breakdown

As Stefanski noted, hindsight analysis depends on the results

Stefanski notes that after the results, it is easy to second guess decisions. Will that second-guessing lead to a different game plan or play calling for MNF?

The Cleveland Browns are 7-8 with two weeks left in the 2021 NFL season. The year has not gone as the team would have hoped and, as often noted, the team is what their record says they are.

After the loss to the Green Bay Packers, head coach Kevin Stefanski addressed the team’s decisions on the final offensive possession. With a chance to win the game with a field goal, the Browns threw the ball five straight times after Nick Chubb had gained 18 yards on three carries.

Stefanski noted the confidence in their decisions, noting that they felt in control of the game at that point. The coach noted that looking back and analyzing the decisions made by the offense is tinted by the results.

“We felt like we were in control there, but ultimately, when you do not come through, you second-guess everything – you second guess the first play of the game, the second play of the game or whatever it is. When it does not work, we are definitely second-guessing ourselves.”

While his statements are not wrong, they will likely fall on deaf ears with Browns fans. For the team, calling passing plays was the best way to move the ball at that time. Had it worked, fans would be praising Stefanski’s aggressiveness and QB Baker Mayfield’s clutch play, finally, late in a game.

Since the plays failed, hindsight analysis says they were the wrong plays. The same would have likely been true had the Browns continued to pound the ball with Chubb but the Packers had stopped him.

Based on Stefanski’s statements, the team will analyze their decisions but have been doing so all year long. Their analysis led to the play calls made late in Saturday’s loss to Green Bay. Had those very same plays led to a victory, they would have been lauded.

Will Cleveland’s second-guessing from Saturday lead to a significantly different offensive game plan and play calling on Monday Night Football? It seems unlikely but the team, and their fans, are hoping the result of the game is different.

Browns fall to Packers on Christmas Day: Another close game flutters away

Finding some nuance as the Browns fall to 7-8. So close but just can’t get it done, AGAIN!

The Cleveland Browns are 7-8 on the season and can’t seem to win games against good teams. Much like was true against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Las Vegas Raiders and the first game against the Baltimore Ravens, the Browns were close but no cigar against the Green Bay Packers.

A nuanced conversation is hard to have in print as the easy finger-pointing goes to Baker Mayfield, Kevin Stefanski and the kicker (for this game it was Chris Naggar). All three played roles in the outcome of the game.

A Christmas Miracle that was denied for Cleveland. The Browns remained without a number of players on the reserve/COVID-19 list as well as due to injury. The list of starters or key contributors is startling to look at:

  • Jadeveon Clowney
  • John Johnson III
  • Greg Newsome II
  • Troy Hill
  • Ronnie Harrison
  • Malik McDowell
  • Jedrick Wills
  • J.C. Tretter
  • Kareem Hunt
  • Chase McLaughlin

No excuses but it is a staggering list to see.

So what did we learn from the loss? At a base level, it wasn’t good enough but it was darn close. The nuanced discussion is a little more detailed.

Safety John Johnson III not a fan of the Browns offensive playcalling

John Johnson III wasn’t happy with the early INT playcalls but he liked Harrison Bryant’s TD catch

There were a lot of Browns fans who weren’t very happy with the offensive performance in the early going in Green Bay. When quarterback Baker Mayfield threw his second interception of the first quarter on Christmas, one of the Browns players took some offense with Cleveland’s offensive strategy, too.

Safety John Johnson III, who is sitting out Saturday’s game with an injured hamstring, tweeted out some criticism of the Browns offense during the game. Johnson’s simple tweet was something that a lot of Browns fans were thinking:

It’s not something that head coach Kevin Stefanski will like seeing or hearing about after the game. But Johnson wasn’t wrong

Johnson kept tweeting through it, sort of explaining his exasperation with his next offering,

And Johnson was right. Mayfield hit Harrison Bryant for a touchdown strike on the next drive and Johnson was all about it,

Browns vs Packers: Game day inactive lists are out

A few key players will miss Browns vs Packers as the inactive lists are out:

The Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers will each be without a few key players for today’s game. While the Browns still have a long list of guys on their reserve/COVID-19 list, the Packers have more guys out due to health reasons for the game.

Cleveland gets Baker Mayfield and a number of other players back for the game but face a Green Bay team that is at the top of the league despite injuries and Aaron Rodgers missing time due to COVID-19. A win could be a huge boost to the Browns playoff hopes (and lead to some funny responses from fans) and a loss could continue a downward spiral for the team.

The two teams just released their official inactives list for the game:

Cleveland

  • S John Johnson III
  • QB Nick Mullens
  • QB Kyle Lauletta
  • LB Willie Harvey Jr.
  • WR Ja’Marcus Bradley

Many of the reinforcements from last week are inactive. As expected Myles Garrett is active despite groin injury concerns.

Green Bay

  • OT David Bakhtiari
  • OL Billy Turner
  • DL Kingsley Keke

No real surprises for the Packers.

Browns vs Packers: How to watch, listen & stream plus more information

Two networks, two streaming options, who is the ref, who are the announcers and more for Browns vs Packers on Christmas Day:

The Cleveland Browns continue to fight on toward their goal of making the NFL playoffs for the second straight season despite difficult odds. The Browns, at 7-7, have a real chance at the AFC North crown but their difficult schedule makes that path quite difficult.

The team also doesn’t control their own destiny needing to win out and have Baltimore lose at least one game. Cleveland can make the playoffs without winning out but it becomes much more difficult.

The Green Bay Packers, on the other hand, have dealt with some drama this year but stayed the course and currently sit with the best record in the NFL, 11-3. Aaron Rodgers is tied with Brett Favre for the most touchdown passes in team history with a chance to break that record on Christmas Day at home.

A lot going against the Browns hopes in Week 16 but, as this NFL season has shown almost everyone, anything can happen week to week.

Below are important game details about this Week 16 matchup. If you have questions about the game, reach out to us on Twitter @TheBrownsWire.

Game information:

Who: Cleveland Browns vs. Green Bay Packers

When: Saturday, Dec. 25th, 4:30 p.m. ET.

Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI

Streaming:

In-market live stream: FuboTV (try it for free)

Amazon Prime Video

Broadcasts:

TV: FOX/NFL Network

Radio: ESPN 850 WKNR, 92.3 The Fan WKRK & 98.5 WNCX

Broadcasters:

TV: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi

Radio: Jim Donovan, Doug Dieken and Nathan Zegura

Referee:

Alex Kemp

Opponent wire site:

Packers Wire

Caution killed the Browns late in Week 15

Multiple times late in the game, caution killed the Browns chances in Week 15 and, perhaps, for the playoffs:

The Cleveland Browns lost to the Las Vegas Raiders and there are many reasons that it happened. No excuses, just reasons. The obvious ones are around all the players missing on the reserve/COVID-19 list and Chase McLaughlin’s field goal. There were five specific plays that each could have decided the game, including McLaughlin’s failure, but there is an overarching problem as well.

The Browns were cautious and it killed their chances of winning. In multiple situations, the team took the safer approach instead of being aggressive and taking the win.

After Greedy Williams picked off Derek Carr’s pass, the cornerback seemed to think the game was over right there and didn’t fight for a big return.

When getting the ball back on the Williams interception, the offense did exactly what Las Vegas thought they would, running the ball three times. A simple bootleg run by Nick Mullens, a screen to a back or tight end or a simple slant to Donovan Peoples-Jones on second down could have gotten them the first down they needed.

When the Raiders got the ball back, Cleveland’s secondary played off and allowed easy completions despite Carr struggling with the deep ball all game. While limitations at the corner position were obvious, allowing easy pitch and catch for 10+ yards made Las Vegas’ job quite easy.

Finally, a play covered in the five plays piece from last night, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Denzel Ward played it safe when Foster Moreau caught this pass:

Perhaps the rookie was worried about knocking him out of bounds. Perhaps Ward thought the linebacker was going to take him out. Perhaps either were worried about some kind of nonsense flag for late hit or unnecessary roughness.

Perhaps, caution killed the Browns chance late in the game in Week 15 and may have killed their chances this seaosn.

Five plays in Week 15 Could Decide Browns Season

Any one of five plays could have changed the outcome of the game for the Browns especially a late defensive failure:

The Cleveland Browns lost to the Las Vegas Raiders 16-14 in a tough loss in Week 15. The Browns were missing a load of players due to COVID-19 and injuries. The first half of the game was hard to watch for Cleveland fans but the game became exciting after that.

The Browns took a one-point lead late in the game with two touchdowns. After a big Greedy Williams interception, a win seemed more than likely.

It wasn’t to be. The defense couldn’t stop the Raiders despite a big holding call and no timeouts on the final drive. At 7-7, neither team has a strong chance to make the playoffs but are still in the hunt.

For Cleveland, five different plays may have decided their season. Changing just one of them may have changed the result in Week 15:

Browns Week 15 highlights, however few, found here

Not expecting many but keeping track of any Browns highlights from Week 15 with the Raiders:

The Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders square off in a game that could play a huge role in the AFC playoff picture. The Browns are far from whole despite getting 48 hours to get ready for the game.

Missing a whole slew of players, Cleveland is hoping to keep the game close enough that a few big plays could give them a victory and the lead in the AFC North.

The Raiders have a few players out as well but nowhere near as many as the home team. A victory for Las Vegas can keep them in the playoff race but a loss likely closes the door on their chances.

Not expecting many but here are Browns highlights from Week 15:

Browns inactive players for Week 15 vs. Raiders: Injured CB Greg Newsome among the few

The Browns didn’t have to make many players inactive vs. the Raiders due to the COVID-19 outbreak

It’s been a nearly impossible task to keep track of which Cleveland Browns players will be available for Monday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Between the COVID-19 outbreak and the NFL moving the game from Saturday to Monday, the availability is a constantly morphing question.

With just 90 minutes to kickoff, the Browns were forced to choose the final eligible players for the critical AFC matchup. Remember, players on the reserve/COVID-19 list do not need to be made inactive.

Here is who the Browns, led by special teams coach Mike Priefer in place of Kevin Stefanski, made inactive:

DT Josiah Bronson

WR Lawrence Cager

CB Greg Newsome II

Newsome was already ruled out with an injury on the initial weekly injury report. That left just two players needing to be rendered inactive. Normally the list is six to eight players, depending on the week.

 

Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum not cleared, Nick Mullens set to start at QB vs. Raiders

Baker Mayfield, Case Keenum are not able to play vs. Raiders due to COVID-19 testing results, Nick Mullens will start at QB

The two-day delay in the game time between the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders helped the Browns get a few players back from their rampant COVID-19 outbreak. Alas, the top two quarterbacks on the roster are not among those who will return.

Both starter Baker Mayfield and backup Case Keenum did not test out of the NFL’s modified COVID-19 protocols on Monday morning, per numerous reports. That means they will not play against the Raiders on Monday afternoon.

In their place, veteran Nick Mullens will get his first start in a Browns uniform. Mullens does have some NFL starting experience from his three seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He went 5-11 in those starts in 2018 and 2020, completing 64.5% of his passes with 24 TDs and 22 INTs.