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Grades from the blowout loss to the Cowboys

By Jonathan Goehring

Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs with the ball as Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Joe Schobert (53) and strong safety Derrick Kindred (30) defend during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs with the ball as Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Joe Schobert (53) and strong safety Derrick Kindred (30) defend during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns kicker Cody Parkey (3) and punter Britton Colquitt (4) celebrate a field goal during the second quarter against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns kicker Cody Parkey (3) and punter Britton Colquitt (4) celebrate a field goal during the second quarter against the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Special Teams: F

Though they did not have a significant impact on the outcome of the game, the Cleveland special teams unit once again proved why they rank among the worst in football.

Most notably, the kick returns were horrendous. The Browns were actually given three opportunities to run the ball out this week, two courtesy of Ricardo Louis, and one thanks to George Atkinson III. In these attempts, the Browns averaged under 18 yards, far short of the 25-yard goal which seems to be reasonable.

To add insult to this, the unit also committed three penalties on punt and kick returns. These are the types of penalties which are especially costly, pinning Cleveland back on offense.

When the Browns finally made a play on special teams to down the ball at the Dallas one-yard-line, the edge in field position was only squandered as a result of a missed 41-yard field goal attempt by Cody Parkey which hit the left upright.

At the end of the day, it wasn’t meant to be for the group. Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor certainly has a lot of work ahead of him, but at least he can rest assured that the play of the unit did not cost the team the game this time. Moving forward, the Browns must get better in the area of special teams, starting by being more disciplined.

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