Cleveland Browns: Mistakes loom large in 30-24 loss to Miami

The Cleveland Browns left points on the field in a 30-24 overtime loss Sunday against the Miami Dolphins in Cody Kessler’s NFL debut.

Let the Phil Dawson nostalgia begin.

The Cleveland Browns fell to 0-3 today with a 30-24 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins. A loss cannot be blamed on one player, but kicker Cody Parkey missed three field goals, including one to win the game in regulation. His tenure as a Brown may be over before the plane lands in Cleveland.

The missed kicks were killers, but the rest of the team had chances to make a difference.

The focus heading into the game was on Cody Kessler, making his NFL debut and becoming the third starting quarterback for the Browns this season. He was gifted an interception by the defense to start the game, but his first drive involved a delay of game, fumbled snap, and ultimately ended on a lost fumble. That led to a Dolphins touchdown drive, followed up by the first of Parkey’s missed field goals.

But Kessler was able to bounce back, completing 21 of his 33 passes for 244 yards and no interceptions. He still needs to adjust to the speed of the NFL, often holding the ball for far too long, but he did great under the circumstances.

He was assisted by Terrelle Pryor, who did it all in Miami. Pryor went 3 for 5 in the passing game, while rushing for 21 yards and hauling in eight catches for 144 yards. He also had a rushing touchdown.

With both Corey Coleman and Josh Gordon not playing, Pryor had to step up in the receiving game. He did just that, but his play in the backfield helped the offense when Kessler was struggling. Without Pryor, this offense may have had a much worse day.

Not helping the cause was the play of Austin Pasztor, who had three holding calls and two false starts. A few of the holding calls may have saved Kessler, but the penalties did more damage than good. Unlike Parkey, Pasztor should retain his spot on the roster next week.

The defense is on the hook for 30 points, but the unit held its own for much of the game. Jamar Taylor, former Miami Dolphin, intercepted Ryan Tannehill on the second play of the game, while undrafted rookie Briean Boody-Calhoun had a pick-six touchdown in the second quarter to give the Browns a 10-7 lead. On a day when Joe Haden was out with a groin injury, the big plays from the secondary were a great sign. If the Browns won, the plays would have stood out more than they do now.

The missed kicks are going to be the story of this game, and a new kicker will likely be donning a Browns uniform when the team takes the field next week against the Washington Redskins.

It was a solid game by Kessler and the rest of the Browns, but the team just seems to find a new way to lose each week. And while Hue Jackson has shouldered some of the blame, it is clear this team is just not as talented as the ones they play against each week.