The NFL can be fun if your team is winning. However, if your team is losing, it can be stressful and cause friction within the fanbase. After a short winning streak, the Cleveland Browns are now on a short losing streak, falling to the New Orleans Saints in Week 9. For many, patience is running thin, but there is a lot to discuss:
1st Down: Uneven game from Shedeur Sanders
It feels as if we’ve seen this movie play out before. Bad 1st or 2nd half from the quarterback, good 1st or 2nd half from the quarterback. With quarterback Deshaun Watson
inactive, 2nd-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders got the start against the Saints. There was plenty of bad. Plenty of good. Sanders had some nice throws, including this one to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, was one that many were impressed with:
As far as the negatives, Sanders had moments in which he held the ball longer than he should’ve; the 4th-and-goal miscue at the goal line was his fault as he went the wrong way and ran into guard Austin Barber, who was pulling.
Overall, Sanders played okay. With that being said, Watson will likely start next week after clearing concussion protocol already. It doesn’t make sense for a QB change when the season isn’t over and the quarterback who you started the season with hasn’t given you a reason to bench him.
2nd Down: KC, Denzel, and Harold.
Everyone knew how special tight end Harold Fannin was last year during his rookie season. This year? He might be even better. This clip shows why.
These are the types of plays that make you jump out of your seat and yell things that aren’t safe for work (in a positive manner).
Rookie receivers Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion also showcased how good they can be.
It prompted ESPN analyst Mina Kimes to tweet this.
Now the team just needs a quarterback.
3rd Down: Defense played well until they didn’t
For what it’s worth, the Browns defense played better than they did last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, it wasn’t enough. After watching Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett get three sacks in his first game back and watching defensive end Jared Verse not make an impact once again, have to wonder if the Browns were better off not trading Garrett at all.
Yes, Cleveland had five sacks, but some of the sacks weren’t being finished that could have added to that number. The run defense was up and down. The tackling has to be better, but the reason for the tackling being poor has something to do with their aggressive style. The defensive tackles the Browns have aren’t bad, but they are small. The size doesn’t necessarily matter because smaller, compact tackles fit the scheme, but they need someone big who can help clog the running lanes.
It was an average game from the unit, but it feels like the defense let the offense down.
4th Down: Season isn’t over. Yet.
Let me put on my pessimistic outfit for a minute. The Cleveland Browns are 5-4. The team has somewhat exceeded expectations. However, going back home against the Houston Texans at 6-3 would be better than coming back at 5-4. If the team were to lose against the Texans, the season wouldn’t be technically over, but November is when the contenders start to emerge.
The Browns aren’t contenders this year, and that’s fine. However, when you look at the landscape of the AFC, you start to wonder if the Browns missed their opportunity. People questioned whether or not this team would win a game after how bad opening week went but Cleveland has somewhat fixed that, leading to fan expectations.
The team has talent that you can get excited for, but it’s hard to think about whether the Browns missed their opportunity with the Week 9 loss and the one to the New York Jets.
Granted, it’s too early to tell, and Cleveland is still, technically, tied for the last AFC playoff spot.
Extra Points
- The New Orleans Saints are not a good team. At all. They have some good players, but they could be in the market for a new head coach next season.
- Myles Garrett got three sacks in his first game back, but Jared Verse can’t get one in nine games.
- The running game is inconsistent; what else is new.
- If the Browns have to go tempo to avoid slow starts on offense, so be it.
- I wouldn’t pick up Jared Verse’s 5th-year option at this point. He has to earn it.
- Expect the Browns to be active at some point before the trade deadline on Tuesday.
What are some of your thoughts the day after the Browns Week 9 loss to the Saints?
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