5 things the Cleveland Browns must do to find success in 2015
By Thomas Moore
Dec 21, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) catches the ball to score a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers won 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Things started to turn around slightly last season as the Browns were only outscored by 38 total points on the season.
That was the lowest total since 2007 and a major improvement compared to the previous six seasons, when the Browns were outscored by an average of 94 points.
Those baby steps were hampered, however, by some late-game breakdowns, as Cleveland lost to Indianapolis on a late 90-yard touchdown drive, to Pittsburgh on a Shaun Suisham field goal as time expired, and against Baltimore on a Justin Tuck field goal as time expired. In addition, they had a fourth-quarter lead against Carolina but couldn’t hold on.
Turn two of those games around (stopping the run in the final period would help) and suddenly the Browns are coming off a 9-7 season and feeling a little bit better about themselves.
It wasn’t all on the defense in those games, as the offense:
- punted five times and threw an interception in its seven second-half drives against the Colts;
- punted on its final two drives against the Steelers, gaining just 43 total yards;
- missed two field goals and punted twice in the fourth quarter against the Ravens;
- and threw and interception and punted on their final two possessions against the Panthers.
If the offense can do what it is built to do in the fourth quarter (ground and pound), and the defense consistently plays like the one that collectively is the highest-paid in the NFL, then the fourth quarter may become the property of the Browns.
Next: Stop the Nonsense