Daily Dawg Tags: Looking for some positives for the Browns

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns reacts against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns reacts against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 24, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Browns fell to 0-3 on the season on Sunday, but there have to be a few bright spots amid the rubble, right?

The Cleveland Browns fell to 0-3 on the season Sunday after losing to the Indianapolis Colts.

The Browns have now gone almost two years since their last road victory, and have won just twice in their past 30 games.

This is hardly the way the team wanted the season to begin, but they are 0-3 for a reason and need to start figuring out some answers, as head coach Hue Jackson said after the game according to ESPN:

"“There’s no new players or anything like that are going to come in. We have to get better. We are tired of being short each time. … It’s just disappointing to be 0-3 right now. It’s not where we thought that we would be. It’s where we are. It’s what we’ve earned.”"

It can’t all be bad, though, can it? Surely there must be a few positives to take away from the weekend?

How about:

  • The Browns scored 28 points on Sunday, making them the highest-scoring team in the AFC North
  • The Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Chicago Bears even though Chicago quarterback Mike Glennon only threw for 101 yards, the Baltimore Ravens gave up 44 points to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Cincinnati Bengals blew a 21-7 lead in an overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers.
  • Three games into the season and wide receiver Kenny Britt has more touchdown receptions than (alleged) $14 million man Terrelle Pryor.

Feeling any better, Browns fans?

OK, enough for the moment on Sunday’s game. Let’s roll into today’s edition of the Daily Dawg Tags.

Cleveland Browns news:

Browns fall to 0-3 after loss to the Colts

The Cleveland Browns lost to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday by the score of 31-28. The loss drops the Browns to 0-3 on the season, and the team has now lost 28 of their past 30 games, dating back to their last road win in Week 5 of the 2015 season. Things are about to get real ugly, real fast in Browns Town.

3 takeaways from Browns loss to the Colts

The Cleveland Browns remain winless after Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Here are a few things that stood out from the disappointing loss.

Deep safeties a smart defensive play

The Cleveland Browns have been questioned over playing their safeties so deep, but the defensive scheme is actually a smart play by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

Browns push the limits on the bad-loss meter (ESPN)

"Every loss is bad, but this Cleveland Browns defeat pushes the machine toward tilt. The Browns came to Indianapolis feeling like they could and would earn their first win of the season. Instead they were steamrollered in the first half en route to a 31-28 loss to the Colts that was far more one-sided than the final score would indicate."

No excuse for defense’s collapse (cleveland.com)

"The Cleveland Browns receivers dropped at least seven  passes in their 31-28 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. But it was the Browns defense that really dropped the ball this Sunday afternoon."

Refocused: Colts beat the Browns (PFF)

"The Colts would double up the Browns on the scoreboard in the first half. The Browns would be game for the second half however, as Kizer would throw a touchdown to WR Kenny Britt and would also run for a score. However they would fall short 31-28. With that, we give you our PFF exclusive takeaways from the contest for each team."

NFL News:

Sport is, and always has been, political (The Guardian)

"Politics and sport have been bedfellows since at least the birth of the ancient Olympic Games some 28 centuries ago, when city states that vied year-round for finite resources came up with a venue of bloodless competition in which to keep themselves from killing each other."

Aaron Rodgers delivers clutch win (ESPN)

"Take that, Tom Brady. Aaron Rodgers did Sunday what the New England Patriots quarterback did three hours earlier. It’s what MVP quarterbacks do."

DeShaun Watson, Texans encouraged by his performance (Houston Chronicle)

"Especially considering it was just his second NFL start and he’s 22-years-old, Texans rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson had reason to be encouraged by his performance in a loss to the New England Patriots. Watson parlayed his elusiveness, athleticism and instincts into a strong game as he pushed the defending Super Bowl champions to the brink."

Steelers run defense struggles in loss to Bears (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

"The Steelers suffered their first loss of the season Sunday when they dropped a 23-17 decision in overtime against the Bears in Chicago. Here are some initial impressions from the defeat."