The Browns did not lose the game
when the Colts scored with 32 seconds left on an Andrew Luck to T.Y. Hilton. The
Browns did not lose the game when Josh Gordon could not haul in Brian Hoyer’s
pass with 28 seconds left. They lost on their second drive of the game when
they crossed the fifty for the first time and had to punt. They lost on their
third drive of the game when they got down to the Colt’s nine-yard line and
threw a pick. They lost on their second drive in the second quarter when they
missed a 40-yard field goal. The Browns could’ve put the Colts away by
halftime, but they didn’t. A touchdown or field goal in the first half counts
just as much as one in the fourth quarter.
The Brian Hoyer era has come and
gone. Johnny Manziel’s time might go just as fast, but we don’t know. It is
time to find out. Hoyer’s time did not end with just the Colts game. It ended
with losses in the Bills and Texans games. It ended with three interceptions
against Atlanta, and two more picks against Tampa Bay. His play has been poor
in both wins and losses. It is not all of his fault, but he has played poorly
now for a good portion of the season.
My notes from the Colt’s game look
like this: First offensive drive, punt. Second offensive series, bad passes.
Did not take advantage of field position. Third offensive series, pick! Fourth
offensive series, three and out. First offensive series in second quarter,
three and out. Second series in the second quarter, missed field goal. You
don’t win against quality teams like the Colts playing like this on offense. If
it weren’t for two defensive scores the game would have been a blow out.
The Browns must win one of the
three remaining games. Anything less than 8-8, or finishing the season with
five straight losses, would be the same old stuff.
This team could be very, very good
next year. They are going to end this year in contention, but probably not
making, the playoffs. Next year could be a different story. Very soon big
decisions have to be made. The team’s window is only going to be open for so long.
Quarterback, kicker, depth at safety and linebacker, another big receiver, all
have to be addressed. Winning and losing is a cold-hearted business at times.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We will have the whole off-season to talk
about stuff like that.
I’m
not writing off the playoffs this year. A lot can happen in these last three
weeks. The Browns win all three it would seem they would be in the playoffs;
winning 2 out of 3 is a maybe. Every game left is a winnable game.
In
all the negativity that a loss will bring, don’t overlook the Browns defensive
performance. Two defensive scores and one big play after another. Craig Robertson will another defensive
score; Justin Gilbert with his first pick six; Jim Leonard with another big
play. The Browns offense needed to get the defense off the field and they
couldn’t.
The
roller coaster continues…
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