Instant reactions from Cleveland Browns Week 9 loss to the Broncos

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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 3: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns is hit by A.J. Johnson #45 of the Denver Broncos in the second quarter of a game at Empower Field at Mile High on November 3, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Red zone continues to cause problems for Browns

During Cleveland’s turnaround during the second half of 2018, they were one of the best teams in the NFL in the red zone. Whenever they were inside the 20-yard line, it tended to result in touchdowns for the Browns. That has not been the case for Cleveland in 2019, and it bit them again in Denver.

Cleveland reached the red zone five times and only scored a touchdown one time. They also made three field goals, but were also stopped on a fourth and short in the third quarter. Their inability to get in the end zone made it even tougher for the Browns.

The Browns’ play-calling in the red zone has been extremely questionable and it allowed the Broncos to stuff them on multiple occurrences. At times, Freddie Kitchens seems to be getting too cute with his play-calling and it results in negative plays. Kitchens also seems to ignore his best receiver, Odell Beckham Jr., in the red zone.

Cleveland’s offense has been able to get the ball down the field several times this season but cannot finish drives with touchdowns. Field goals are fine, but scoring puts pressure on the opponent and helps the defense play freer. If they want to turn their season around in the second half, the Browns offense needs to clean up their execution in the red zone.

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