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Cleveland Browns Instant Reactions: Head scratching ways continue in loss to Steelers

By Joel W. Cade

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns on the sidelines before the start of the gaime against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 16, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 16: Head coach Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns on the sidelines before the start of the gaime against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 16, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns and Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers  (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

The Cleveland Browns started fast against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But after the first quarter, they returned to their head-scratching ways.

The Cleveland Browns looked like they figured things out. It seemed like they finally got the offense going. Then the real Browns showed up in a 33-18 loss to the hated Pittsburgh Steelers.

Offense is an enigma

The Browns came out with a different idea on offense. Instead of running the long developing passes with a rookie quarterback and struggling offensive line, they decided to do what quarterback Baker Mayfield did well in college.

Offensive coordinator dialed up some plays designed to get playmakers in space. Duke Johnson made a few great plays in the first drive. Antonio Callaway made a couple great plays in space as well. The play calls were designed to get the ball into the flat quickly with blockers in front of the receivers. The Browns ran quick screens off misdirection.

Then Duke seemed to disappear the rest of the half. The plays into the flat disappeared. The screens disappeared. In their place came the same predictable play calling that the Browns normally employ. The 3 TE end sets which 9 out of 10 times will be a zone run toward the strength of the formation. If I know that, you know the Steelers have figured this out.

Boxer Mike Tyson said: “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face”. This is especially true of the Browns. When they get punched in the face, they almost immediately revert to the same old predictable crap that doesn’t work.

It is time for the Browns to truly commit to building an offense around Baker Mayfield. Not simply getting the players. They need an offense that can utilize the playmakers general manager John Dorsey puts around Baker. Simply running some plays into space is not enough. They need to truly commit to the offense.

Browns gonna Brown.

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