Cleveland Browns: Studs and duds from Week 16 win

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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 23: Clayton Fejedelem #42 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts after picking up a first down on a fake punt during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Dud: Special Teams

Once again, the entire special teams unit was a dud for the Browns. The issues started on the very first play of the game, which we already mentioned. An unnecessary roughness penalty led to them starting deep in their own territory. The miscues didn’t end there.

The Browns also gave up a fourth down conversion on the Bengals first drive via a fake punt. Being unprepared, Cleveland had no answer when safety Clayton Fejedelem took the direct snap six yards for the first. Fortunately, the defense held but this was an ugly sight.

Also ugly was the missed extra point from Greg Joseph after the second touchdown of the game. He redeemed himself with a couple of makes on field goal tries, but that missed extra point could have hurt them in a closer game.

The last big issue came late in the game. With less than four minutes to go, the Browns allowed Fejedelem to make another big play as he came free on a punt and blocked the kick from Britton Colquitt. That led to a touchdown and two-point conversion, which made the game look much closer than it should have.

Special teams coach Amos Jones has been under fire all season and there’s hardly any doubt he will be gone after this season — this game doesn’t help cast any doubt on that belief.

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