It shouldn't be a relief when football season is officially over. Most fans are bummed out when everything is done when it comes to their favorite team. But if you're a Cleveland Browns fan, the end of the season often comes as sweet relief. Like a weight gets lifted off your shoulders, and that you don't have to put yourself through the ringer every week supporting a bad team. But here we are again. The Browns finish the 2022 season at 7-10, and last place in the AFC North.
I do still love the team, and I will support the Browns until I take a dirt nap, or I won't root for any other NFL team. But boy is it getting harder and harder to get behind these guys every week. The second half of this game seemed like a microcosm of this whole season. The offensive line couldn't protect Deshaun Watson to save their lives, and the defense had at least four instances of failing to get off the field on third down and long. When they absolutely had to show up to have any chance at getting back into the game late, or stealing it, the defense was nowhere to be found. And Joe Woods likely has coached his last game in Cleveland as the Browns defensive coordinator. I expect him to be a casualty on Black Monday. I'd be shocked if Kevin Stefanski keeps him around.
But before the Browns go into the offseason, let's take a look at what went wrong here with one last look this season at the Keys to Victory.
Slow down TJ Watt
The Browns actually succeeded in this area of the game. TJ Watt only had a half a sack and three tackles in this game. Unfortunately for Cleveland, everyone else stepped up, as the Steelers defensive front got after Deshaun Watson all day long, piling up seven sacks against him. Watt may not have been much of a factor today, but it didn't matter. The Browns were owned in the trenches today.
Run the football
The Browns ran the ball 22 times for 134 yards. That might be a great day individually for Nick Chubb, but it wasn't enough as a team. The Browns as a team should routinely be running the ball between 30-35 times a game. 40 or more on their absolute best days. Unfortunately, when you're down two scores, that kind of takes away the ability to run the ball. Part of the game of football, at least on the defensive side of the ball, is to force your opponent out of their comfort zone. If you force them out of what they want to do, you can dictate the flow of the game, be the aggressor, and have a much better chance of winning. The Steelers did that to the Browns to perfection today, unfortunately.
Deshaun Watson: Deja Vu Performance
Deshaun Watson was sacked seven times today thanks to the offensive line not getting the job done, but all things considered, he didn't look too bad. He went 19-29 for 230 yards and two touchdowns. But unfortunately, he wasn't as efficient with the ball, throwing two interceptions that both led directly to Pittsburgh points. They came at the worst time. The Browns can't have mistakes like that if they expect to win games this upcoming Fall.
Get after the rookie: Rattle Pickett
Aside from a lone sack by Myles Garrett, the Browns didn't get any pressure on Steelers rookie signal caller Kenny Pickett. Garrett sacked him once, and he was hit twice. But other than that, it was smooth sailing all day long for the Steelers. Pickett did virtually whatever he wanted against a nonexistent defense. The Browns made this kid look like he's been a seasoned professional for years. Not good.
2023 is extremely unknown right now. I don't know who is safe and who isn't. The only thing I would say is as close to a certainty as one could get, is that Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods is likely to be canned very soon. As for everything else, we'll have to wait and see how things unfold in the weeks and months ahead of us in the offseason. But no matter how much the Browns struggled this year, I truly enjoyed writing for you all. When we won, it was a blast. And even for the many games we lost this season, I let everything out as a way to destress after bad games like this one. And hopefully I've made a few people laugh too! Browns fans win together, and lose together. But no matter what, I truly enjoy writing for everyone who reads these. Until next time, Dawg Pound, this is the Animal. Thanks for tagging along with me, and GO BROWNS!
Stats Leaders
Deshaun Watson: 19-29, 230 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
Nick Chubb: 12 carries, 77 yards
Amari Cooper, 2 receptions 51 yards
Source: ESPN
Picture Credit: nitrobetting.eu
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