“You win some, you lose some, but you live. You live to fight another day.”
- Willie Jones (also known as Mr Jones from the movie Friday)
I use this quote specifically because it applies to the Cleveland Browns. Yes, the Browns got bullied by the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8. Head coach Todd Monken said the team earned the loss (they did); however, it isn’t the end of the world. 6-2 and alone in the AFC North would’ve been nice, but you would settle for 5-3 in a year in which no one thought the team would be ahead of schedule.
1st Down: Young teams are often the most inconsistent teams
As everyone knows, the Browns have
one of the youngest teams in the NFL. The difference is clear when you pay close attention. Going into Pittsburgh and winning was going to be a tough task, but Cleveland didn’t make things easier for themselves at all. The Steelers essentially did what the Browns did to them when the two teams played on Thursday night this season. Granted, the score wasn’t as close this time around, but Cleveland looked like the young team that they are. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s just the reality of the situation.
As far as the game goes, not much went right for the Browns. Most, if not all, of Cleveland’s players did their best to downplay the history of the team not winning in Pittsburgh, only to extend their losing streak and miss out on an opportunity to sweep the Steelers in a season series.
2nd Down: Jared Verse is doing more harm than actual good
Leading up to the game, Browns defensive end Jared Verse had some choice comments about the Steelers going back to their last meeting. Some fans liked it (because why not), and others like myself weren’t necessarily annoyed by it but just don’t understand why Verse continues to run his mouth despite not having a sack this season.
It’s obvious that the Steelers were aware of it, and judging by the postgame comments by many Steelers players, they don’t respect Verse at all, and honestly they shouldn’t.
Do I understand why Verse is trash-talking? Yes, he’s trying to be apart of the “culture changing” but I would rather have you back up your talk and be productive than talk and be a liability. It’s fair to question if the team picks up his option if the production doesn’t get better but sometimes it’s best to not say anything.
3rd Down: Defense needs to get healthy, OL has bad outing
The Browns don’t have their bye week for a few weeks, but the defense has to get healthy to some degree. If you have played any iteration of EA Sports College Football video game, you are likely aware of the Wear and Tear feature. It appears some of Cleveland’s defensive players are in the red area. Defensive tackle Mason Graham isn’t quite 100%, and linebacker Carson Schwesinger hasn’t been healthy all year.
The run defense was an issue last week, and it was an issue on Sunday. Defending against trap runs has been an issue for a while, but by the time adjustments were made, the game was already out of reach.
After having a stout outing last week, the Browns offensive line had a bad outing. I don’t think the Steelers defensive line is that dangerous, but the Browns offensive line struggled throughout the day. Quarterback Deshaun Watson didn’t help due to him holding the ball for too long trying to extend plays, but the entire offensive line had their fair share of struggles.
4th Down: Browns aren’t a good team… yet but they aren’t a bad team
The Cleveland Browns are 5-3. Yet, the conversation will be whether this team is as good as their record may indicate.
Are the Browns a great football team? No, at least not at this moment. Let’s put things in perspective.
- The team is 5-3
- Of the 5 wins this team has, they weren’t favored in 4 (they were favored against the Titans)
- The team is ahead of schedule
Considering how most, if not all, analysts predicted that this team would be one of the worst teams in the league before the season started, the fact that they are 5-3 is impressive. Yes, the team has flaws, but this team is also one of the youngest teams in the league. Look at the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers are winless and have looked objectively awful. You think Los Angeles would like to be in Cleveland’s position right now? Albeit the expectations might be different, the point remains.
Yes, Week 8 was terrible, but I don’t believe that should change your view on this team. It could be a lot worse.
Extra Points
- The Browns are more likely to trade for an edge rusher before the deadline, from what I was told (the YaYa Diaby smoke has some traction)
- Cleveland’s taunting penalties felt as if they were instigated by the Steelers.
- Tight end Harold Fannin had a career day.
- Watson had another 300-yard game, but most of the yardage came from YAC or underneath route concepts
- The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-2, but I am not moved; I am just waiting for the shoe to drop.
A day later, what are your thoughts on the Browns’ Sunday big loss to the Steelers?
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