The Cleveland Browns are threatening to pull off essentially the most devastating give way

By Chris Korman |

December 27, 2020 5: 41 pm

The Cleveland Browns entered Week 16 with a 90 p.c chance of making the playoffs, which they’ve no longer performed since 2002.

Then they lost four wide receivers and two initiating linemen to COVID-19 protocols. They this potential that of this truth lost 23-16 to the Contemporary York Jets. And now they’re one step nearer to missing out on that prolonged-awaited return to the post-season.

It’s essentially essentially the most Cleveland Browns thing probabilities are you’ll well presumably ever factor in. A team that has exceeded expectations with beautiful effectivity true … fails to use wisely-established COVID-19 precautions and here we’re.

What did the oldsters of that dazzling metropolis discontinue to deserve this? I essentially don’t know. Is this some form of cosmic, karmic retribution? Why is that this occurring? If you happen to maintain a theory, I’d fancy to hear it.

I indicate, discover at this: The Browns had an opportunity to total a comeback against the Jets, and they looked reasonably competent in the strive. Baker Mayfield relied on RB Kareem Hunt and TE Austin Hooper to find the ball, making it the total technique to the Jets’ 16-yard-line. Facing a 4th-and-less-than-1 all he had to discontinue changed into once tumble forward somewhat bit, with the ball. He true desired to raise the ball with him, a couple of inches, essentially. The ball is key.

He didn’t elevate the ball. And in that enviornment the football can no longer be evolved after a fumble. And judging from the replays exhibiting Hunt scooping the ball and driving forward, even if the ball would possibly need been evolved it changed into once no longer, in actuality, evolved.

How does this withhold occurring?

Now 10-5, the Browns tranquil maintain a 57 p.c chance of making the playoffs. The truth is, if they take in Week 17 they’re in.

Cleveland will host Pittsburgh subsequent week. The Steelers clinched the NFC North Sunday with a comeback take against the Colts, and since Kansas City has already clinched the No. 1 seed and the handiest bye, it’s imaginable the Steelers rest some avid gamers.

Nonetheless let’s no longer ignore the truth that one Browns player tested optimistic for COVID-19 and others were deemed high menace; the virus could continue to ravage the team by making avid gamers ill and interrupting the week of apply. Myles Garrett had coronavirus earlier this year and has been delivery about how grand it affected him.

So it’s no longer just like the Browns maintain a straightforward course. And a loss would be disastrous.

The Ravens (at Cincinnati), Dolphins (at Buffalo), Colts (vs. Jaguars) and Titans (vs. Packers tonight, at Houston) all maintain 10 wins already. The Browns’ handiest course, then, is for the Colts and Titans (Cleveland has a bigger conference fable than Indianapolis and beat Tennessee) to both lose out … which looks to be somewhat unlikely.

It’s no longer like we’ve been very high on the Browns. My colleague Steven Ruiz dubbed them frauds early in the season and has no longer been swayed. First-year coach Kevin Stefanski has in the end installed a QB-pleasant way to find extra out of Mayfield, but Cleveland tranquil wants most things to streak just correct to be competitive. Mayfield isn’t spacious if he’s pressured, or has his first possibility taken away.

Meaning Cleveland has a no longer easy resolution to develop as Mayfield enters the final year of his rookie deal, and paying him like a franchise QB potentially doesn’t develop essentially the most sense. Nonetheless all of that anxiety changed into once speculated to be in the waste.

This year changed into once the one when Cleveland fans obtained to discover playoff football for true the second time for the explanation that Browns returned. It tranquil will be.

Or the Cleveland Browns could elevate heartbreak the technique handiest the Cleveland Browns can. Again.