The Cleveland Browns lost their fourth game of the season Sunday on a chilly afternoon in Denver. The defense once again couldn’t get off the field early, giving up two touchdowns before the Browns could put any points on the scoreboard.
It was an eerily similar game script to the one in Baltimore, Seattle, and Indianapolis. When the Browns have gone on the road this season, the defense has had a propensity to give up early scores, and they have had to play from behind. Against Indianapolis and Baltimore, they were able to come back and win the game with adjustments defensively and a good enough offense to overcome the hole they started in. They overcame the deficit in Seattle, but the defense gave it back to the Seahawks late.
Sunday, the Browns never made it all the way out of that hole. They fought back into the game and almost tied the score on a two-point conversion in the third quarter but instead saw the ball drop out of Amari Cooper’s hands in the back of the endzone. The defense would give some ground on the next possession but held Denver to a field goal, keeping the Browns within five points.
As they looked to drive and take their first lead of the game, Dorian Thompson-Robinson took a shot to the head and shoulder area as he released the ball. The hit drew a flag for roughing the passer but also knocked the rookie signal caller out of the game with a concussion. The Browns would bring out PJ Walker and subsequently attempt a reverse to Pierre Strong, who mishandled the pitch from Elijah Moore as the Bronco’s D.J. Jones appeared deep in the backfield, forcing Strong to take his eye off the ball.
It was a back-breaking turnover and set the Broncos up for a touchdown that put them up 12. The Browns moved the ball down the field once with Walker under center, but the drive stalled, and Walker fumbled on fourth down.
Here are some “Things I think I know about the Cleveland Browns” as we head into Week 13.
IT HAS TO BE “NEXT MAN UP” AS INJURIES PILE UP
The Browns came into this game as winners of their last three games, the last two of which came against bitter AFC North rivals in Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Play in the AFC North takes its toll on the health of a football team. It’s a physical brand of football that often leaves teams in much worse shape physically than when they entered.
The Browns have already had a brutal season when it comes to injury luck, with a large portion of their salary cap on the injured reserve.
Sunday didn’t help things as Thompson-Robinson is now in concussion protocol, Myles Garrett is day-to-day with a shoulder injury, and Cooper is day-to-day after taking a shot to the ribs.
The Browns got good news on Monday, as Garrett’s injury originally appeared to be much worse than a day-to-day ailment.
When he spoke to the Media on Monday, Stefanki elected not to divulge his plans for the quarterback position this week. Still, it would be hard to imagine the answer to that question being anything other than Joe Flacco.
Only San Francisco’s Brock Purdy has cleared concussion protocol in time to play in a game one week later all season in the NFL. It would be a stretch to imagine that Thompson-Robinson clears the protocols in time, let alone do so and be prepared to play on Sunday in Los Angeles. A decision to start P.J. Walker instead of Flacco would be nonsensical at this point. Walker cannot stop turning the ball over, and any chances the Browns had on Sunday against Denver disappeared when he took over under center.
This team has had to overcome a great deal, and they are beaten up physically right now but can’t afford to give any more ground.
Greg Newsome struggled in relief of Denzel Ward at outside corner on Sunday, with Courland Sutton getting the better of him for some big plays.
The injuries are piling up, but the mantra “next man up” must continue if they plan to weather this newest rash of injuries. Flacco will have to get up to speed while the team is staying in Los Angeles this week and be able to manage the game on Sunday. Newsome will have to be better at cornerback as the Rams have a talented group of wide receivers, and Geron Christian, who has filled in admirably at Left Tackle up until Sunday, needs to be better.
The Browns still have everything they want out in front of them, but they face another chapter of adversity in the story of the 2023 Browns.
The “next man up” is what gets them over this hurdle.
SCHWARTZ HAS TO STOP FIRST QUARTER STRUGGLES ON DEFENSE
Earlier this season, the Browns league-best defense gave up late drives in consecutive games. Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz addressed the issue head-on, stating that they would get it fixed, and since that moment, they have.
The issue now is that in the Browns’ last four road games, they surrendered 14 points to their opponent in the first quarter, and in Seattle, Baltimore, and Denver, the Browns trailed 14-0.
It is time for Schwartz to turn his attention to whatever is going on with the defense early in games. They cannot afford to continue playing from behind like this.
The defense has been able to adjust and play well on most occasions, but whatever weakness opposing play-callers are identifying at the outset of games has to be remedied moving forward.
ROOKIE WIDE RECEIVER CEDRIC TILLMAN FLASHES
The best thing to takeaway from the Browns’ loss in Denver was the emergence of rookie wide receiver Cedric Tillman. Tillman was able to get involved in the passing game, catching four balls for 55 yards.
Tillman is a big, strong receiver with good athleticism. He and Thompson-Robinson played their high school football together at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, so it’s no surprise that Thompson-Robinson started finding Tillman on Sunday.
Tillman caught passes of ten and three yards in the first quarter of the game. Then, on the final drive of the half, Thompson-Robinson connected with Tillman twice more, this time for gains of 18 and 23 yards, helping the Browns get into range for Dustin Hopkins to make a field goal just before the half ended.
Tillman looks the part as he effortlessly catches the ball and uses his large frame to create separation. Until now, Tillman has filled the Donovan Peoples-Jones role, using his bigger body to block. Seeing him get the ball during significant moments in the game was a tremendous sign.
If Tillman can build on his performance and become a legitimate threat in the Browns’ offense, opposing defenses can be forced to adjust the amount of attention given to Amari Cooper.
As long as it’s Flacco or Thompson-Robinson under center, we should see more play-making opportunities going to the talented young receiver.
