Blues singer Robert Johnson famously sang about his “Sweet Home Chicago,” but it would be understandable if the Cleveland Browns do not share that feeling.
On Sunday against the Chicago Bears, the Browns
continued their 56-year run of futility in the Windy City by dropping a 31-3 decision that was never, for even a moment, in doubt.
Typical of a mid-December game for the Browns, there are not many good moments to take from today, although the offense learned a very important lesson – going up against a good defense is far different than taking on the likes of the Las Vegas Raiders or the Tennessee Titans.
But, as the headline promises, we have to pick some winners and losers from a long afternoon at Soldier Field, so let’s dive in by handing out some holiday-themed peppermint mocha brownies.
Brownies
DE Myles Garrett: Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett continued his quest to claim the single-season record for sacks by notching 1.5 sacks of Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams. It was actually two sacks until the NFL decided to step in and credit defensive tackle Shelby Harris with a half-sack, so Garrett finished the day with 21.5 sacks on the season, just one away from tying the record co-held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt.
Maybe the NFL just wanted to give the home fans something to look forward to next week, as Garrett will try to break the record against the Buffalo Bills.
WR Isaiah Bond: Cleveland’s rookie wide receiver was really the only bright spot on offense as Bond had two receptions for a game-high 89 yards. The rookie only has 16 receptions on the season, but has flashed some big-play ability as he is averaging a team-high 18 yards per catch.
K Andre Szmyt: was perfect on his lone kick of the day, converting a 50-yard field goal to give Cleveland its only points on the day. After a rough start to the season, Szmyt has not missed a field goal since Week 8 and is up to 86 percent on the season. (We told you it was going to be ugly on offense!)
Frownies
Another slow start: The first offensive drive of the game for the Browns was an ugly one, which saw them start on their one-yard line, run five plays that included two penalties, and call on Corey Bojorquez for the first of his seven punts on the game. The Browns have now gone six consecutive games without scoring a touchdown on the opening drive of the game.
Nothing special again: Cleveland’s special teams wasted no time in putting on their latest bit of slapstick as they allowed Chicago’s Devin Duvernay to return the opening kickoff 52 yards. Duvernay then returned Bojorquez’s first punt 18 yards to the Cleveland 42-yard line, meaning the Bears started their first two offensive drives in Cleveland territory.
O-Line woes continue: Everything related to the offense does need the added context of the Browns playing with an offensive line that is comparable to an expansion-era team. Of course, their offensive line has been one of the league’s worst all season, no matter who is playing, so that maybe the time has come to stop with the excuses.
A step up in class, a step back in production: After posting big numbers last week against the Titans and showing some nice improvement since taking over as the starting quarterback, Shedeur Sanders looked like anything but the answer at quarterback against the Bears, as he was just 18-of-35 passing, with five sacks and three interceptions.
Cleveland’s offense was also just four-of-14 on third down, which continues a problem as the Browns are converting just 31 percent of their third-down opportunities since Sanders took over as the starting quarterback.
As hard as it may be to believe, the numbers were even worse in the first half as the Browns had just 57 yards of offense and one first down. That is the lowest yardage total since Week 9 of the 2024 season against the Los Angeles Chargers, and the fewest first downs since Week 1 of the 2024 season against the Dallas Cowboys.
Nowhere to run: It is not all on Sanders, of course, as the running game gave the Browns nothing with Quinshon Judkins and Trayveon Williams combining to rush 13 times for 24 yards.
Jeudy, Jeudy, Jeudy: And those three interceptions? One can be hung on wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who could not come down with a catch that would have been a touchdown. It was another disappointing day for Cleveland’s presumed No. 1 wide receiver as Jeudy finished with two catches for just 22 yards.
Maybe spread the ball around? Those other two interceptions are on Sanders, however, and both came on throws to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. The connection between Sanders and Fannin has been nice this season, but Sanders needs to look for someone else at times, as he targeted Fannin 14 times compared to 17 in total for six other receivers.
Can anyone catch the ball? Would it also be too much to ask for a wide receiver other than Bond to do something? Sanders only connected four times with a wide receiver not named Bond, as Jeudy (2 receptions), Malachi Corley (one reception), and Gage Larvadain (one reception) were the only ones in the box score. Can someone please help their quarterback out?
OK, that’s enough from me. Now it is your turn, Browns fans. Who are your winners and losers from today’s fiasco in Chicago?
