Cleveland Browns Week 8: Studs and duds

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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 28: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers shakes hands with head coach Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns after a 33-18 win by the Steelers at Heinz Field on October 28, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Dud: Hue Jackson, Head Coach

Somehow Hue Jackson once again did what he does best ahead of this game — he deflected the blame away from himself. Don’t let Jackson fool you, since he has been the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, he has brought nothing but losses and an attitude of complacency to this team. What’s worse is he truly believes everyone else is the problem.

And with that mantra, he has somehow again tricked members of the media into believing their offensive struggles are not on him but on offensive coordinator Todd Haley. No one bothered to think about the fact that the Browns were struggling to win with Hue and Haley came from a winning organization. Instead, they just bought into it and reports about Haley being on the hot seat somehow emerged.

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Then in Week 8, Jackson went on to put his stamp on the game. The offense started out fine, but couldn’t close out drives. After dominating the first quarter, they gave up the lead on one long play from the Steelers. Then with Pittsburgh driving again as the half closed out, Jackson sat on his three timeouts — something he later said he doesn’t even recall. He took those timeouts he doesn’t remember to the half as the Steelers took full control of the game with a 14-6 lead — and they got the ball to start the third.

Even when the Browns would catch a break, their undisciplined and unaware ways shone through. After giving up a safety (on a hold from left tackle Desmond Harrison), the Browns were gifted a free ball as the Steelers misplayed it. With no Pittsburgh players within 15 yards, the Browns special teams all dove on the ball. Not one was aware enough to pick up the live ball and take the free points.

So to sum it up, there are problems with game management, offensive efficiency, the defense giving up big plays, and special teams not being prepared. Is that all on the offensive coordinator?

(Update: Hue Jackson has been fired since this was writen)

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