Not even Shedeur Sanders being named Cleveland's starting quarterback the rest of the season on Monday could quiet the second-guessing about Kevin Stefanski's failed 2-point conversion decisions in the 31-29 loss to Tennessee.
The two conversions on Sunday were poorly executed, and brought up the debate of when does playing it safe with a young roster, especially at the offensive skill positions, win out over analytics?
“I think every decision you make
is based on, I mean, you can say analytics, but you know how good the defense is on short yardage, what their percentage is of stopping the other team — the statistics, and use that to make your decisions,” Stefanski said Monday. "And then you look at the matchups and your players versus their players. So I think it’s certainly a tool, and it’s information to take in, but I think there’s so much that goes into decisions when you’re making them. The decision to go for two when you’re down, you know, to start the series at 14, that’s also based on the plays you have available to you, the matchups, those type of things. So I don’t think it’s ever just a black and white picture, if you will.”
Sanders' 5-yard scramble up the middle brought the Browns within 39-31 when Stefanski decided to go for 2 the first time. A successful conversion would have made it a six-point game and meant a touchdown and extra point on an ensuing possession would give them the win.
A missed conversion, though, means a team is chasing points.
Sanders bobbled the snap from backup center Luke Wypler, who was in the game after starter Ethan Pocic was carted off with a season-ending Achilles injury. Titans linebacker Cedric Gray recovered the ball and had a chance to return it for two points, but ran out of gas.
Even though he was working with a new center, Sanders took the blame for the fumble.
With 1:03 remaining, Sanders found Harold Fannin Jr. in the left corner of the end zone for a 7-yard TD to get them within two.
Sanders came off the field for the next 2-point play as running back Quinshon Judkins lined up for a direct snap, something they have done at points throughout the season. Judkins ran right and looked like he might pitch the ball to wide receiver Gage Larvadain on an end around, only for it to end being a busted play. Judkins tried to throw the ball across the field to no avail.
The Browns practiced that play during preseason joint workouts against the Philadelphia Eagles, but Judkins was not on the roster. Cleveland also practices 2-point plays every Friday, including both run on Sunday.
“I think I have to go into every game understanding our team, their team, the matchups, the plays that we have available to us. Ultimately you’re making decisions based on the game that you’re playing and what’s in front of you," Stefanski said.
The failed 2-point plays put Stefanski even more under the microscope, especially losing to a team that had only one win coming into the game.
With the next three games against playoff contenders, the Browns are looking at their second straight 3-14 campaign.
Sanders as the starting quarterback. Through his three starts, Sanders has shown improvement. He had a breakout game on Sunday, passing for 364 yards and three touchdowns, and a rushing score. He joins Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow as the only rookie QBs with at least 350 passing yards, three touchdown passes and one rushing score in a game.
Stefanski is also convinced that Sanders can learn from his mistakes, such as the ill-fated interception in the third quarter where he scrambled and threw a deep pass to the middle of the field where it was picked off by Tennessee's Xavier Woods. The interception would later lead to the Titans scoring the go-ahead touchdown.
“I think he has constantly and consistently gotten better in each one of these games and how he’s approached his game,” Stefanski said. "He’s been working very hard, so I feel good about where his development is heading. He knows there are always going to be plays that he can be better and those types of things, but he’s very intentional about getting better each and every game he’s out there.”
The run defense allowed 5.3 yards per carry as Tennessee's Tony Pollard had a career-high 161 yards. The 184 rushing yards by the Titans is tied for the fourth-most allowed in Jim Schwartz's three years as defensive coordinator.
Harold Fannin Jr. had eight receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown. He joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome as the only rookie tight ends in team history to have a 100-yard receiving game. Fannin is also the first Browns rookie with a 100-yard game since 2016.
WR Gage Larvardain fumbled another punt return, his fourth in two games, casting more attention on a special teams unit that has been bad for most of the season. Corey Bojorquez had his second punt blocked and the kick coverage unit continues to struggle.
C Ethan Pocic will have season-ending Achilles surgery. OG Wyatt Teller (calf) will miss his second straight game and OT Jack Conklin remains in concussion protocol. WR Malachi Corley (concussion), TE David Njoku (knee), CB Denzel Ward (calf) and WR Cedric Tillman (concussion) will be evaluated during the week.
7 — Consecutive games in which All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett has recorded a sack. It is the longest streak of his career.
19 — Seasons since the Browns returned in 1999 that they have had at least 10 losses.
The Browns head to Chicago to face a Bears squad that lost to Green Bay 28-21 on Sunday and had a five-game winning streak snapped. Cleveland has won the last two meetings in the series, but have dropped four straight when headed to Chicago. Its last win on the road against the the Bears was 1969.
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