Cleveland Browns studs and duds from Week 3 loss to the Rams

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CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach Freddie Kitchens of the Cleveland Browns walks on the field during warm ups prior to the start of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Dud: Freddie Kitchens

There are going to be a lot of questions about if Freddie Kitchens should still be calling plays after his struggles on Sunday night. At times, the Browns offense was getting into a rhythm with RPO’s, tempo, and running the football. But for a large portion of the game, it looked like the clunky mess it has been the first two weeks of the season.

Kitchens made several questionable play calls against the Rams, most notably his 4th and 9 draw play call or the entire final possession in the redzone. It has seemed like Kitchens is having trouble putting together a plan for most of the offensive drives.

The lack of a plan puts the Browns on their heels on the field and does not put the players in positions to make plays. And it was especially noticeable at the end of the game with the Browns at the goal line. The Browns offense had a golden opportunity to tie the game, but Kitchens did not seem to know what he wanted to do with his play-calling inside the five-yard line.

Cleveland is also still having problems with penalties, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The Browns were called for several illegal formations and illegal shifts, which generally is caused by coaching.

Kitchens says he wants all of the blame for Sunday’s loss, and it would be fair to say he deserves some of it. It is obvious Kitchens is learning on the fly, but he is going to have to start learning and making adjustments much quicker, because Cleveland’s season could spiral out of control quickly if the struggles continue much longer.

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