3 takeaways from a blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys
The Cleveland Browns never stood a chance Sunday afternoon against the Dallas Cowboys, losing 35-10 and falling to 0-9 on the season.
The Cleveland Browns lost on another Sunday afternoon, capping off a miserable sports week for Cleveland sports fans. Well, at least the Cavaliers did well.
The latest loss came against the Dallas Cowboys, who are arguably the best team in football, led by two rookies on offense.
The Browns were led by rookie Cody Kessler on offense, although this loss cannot be blamed on him. The defense had another atrocious outing, giving up at least 25 points for the ninth time in nine games.
There is a clear lack of talent and experience on both sides of the ball, but the defense is at a level far below rock bottom. But while some may call for Ray Horton‘s job, firing him during the season may be much worse than just waiting until season’s end. If things seem bad now, a change during the year could make things a whole new level of awful.
On to the takeaways…
The Draft questions return
No matter who the Browns drafted in 2016, this season was always going to be a struggle. But losing to the Cowboys, led by both Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, may begin to frustrate fans.
Drafting Elliott may not have fit into the team’s plans this year, but he is still a dominant player who makes a football team better. As for Prescott, the Browns took Kessler over him. This is not to say Prescott would have the Browns with a winning record, but it is hard to think the Browns saw Kessler as the clear better option.
The broadcast team during the game highlighted just how few first-round picks remain on the Browns. The ghosts of Brandon Weeden, Trent Richardson, Johnny Manziel, and Justin Gilbert continue to loom over this franchise. And after seeing the Cowboys land two great rookies and get early returns, fans may be near a breaking point.
The run game will continue to fade
The Browns rushed for a total of 45 yards Sunday, as Duke Johnson led the way with 30 yards on five carries. Isaiah Crowell added four yards on six carries.
There needs to be balance on offense for a team to succeed, but the play of the defense is putting the offense in early deficits, putting emphasis on throwing the ball and trying to score quick. These deficits have taken Terrelle Pryor out of the run game, although he still remains the team’s best receiver.
The lack of balance allows opposing defenses to sit pass, and rush the passer against a weak offensive line. Fans saw this once again Sunday, and it is up to Hue Jackson to figure out some defense against this before Kessler gets hurt once again.
The uncertainty of a short week
The Browns are set to play the Baltimore Ravens this Thursday, giving an already inexperienced team less time to prepare for a divisional opponent.
The only positive is that the Ravens will also be on a short week. The lack of preparation on their end could also affect their chances of winning, but that roster full of veterans should be able to figure it out.
The Browns nearly defeated the Ravens in Week 2, so perhaps Hue can rally his team together to pick up a win this season. The other outcome is a loss so bad, fans may have to turn off the television before halftime.