Browns vs. Chargers: 4 keys to victory

Sep 20, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin (11) walks off the field after defeating the Tennessee Titans 28-14 at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

This goes for anyone who will touch the football.

Travis Benjamin‘s fumble was a momentum killer murderer last week against Oakland. The defense was able to come up with another stop, but the offense had start from their own 2-yard-line with 2:26 left instead of starting at their own 43 with just over four minutes left.

And notice how I did not say mistakes or interceptions. Just fumbles.

This team is bound to play an imperfect game, both on offense and defense. There will be missed tackles galore and missed blocks on offense, but it is about managing the big mistakes like fumbles in key situations that will determine whether they win or lose.

I leave interceptions out because I would like to see McCown be more aggressive in the passing game. If he throws deep to Benjamin and the ball is picked off, at least there was an attempt to make a big play happen. This is better when the play happens on the opponent’s side of the field, but even if it happens on the Browns end of the field, at least something is being done to try and make a big play happen.

Unless your quarterback is Aaron Rodgers, which would be THE best thing ever, interceptions are to be expected. Especially out of journeyman quarterback, Josh McCown. No, not the one from the now obsolete Verizon commercials.

Back to the fumbles. This once again sounds easy and even obvious, but if Benjamin continues to return punts, he cannot do what he did last week. He can keep racking up touchdowns on offense, but it will not matter if he cannot be relied upon to catch a punt.

Next: Josh McCown