5 Studs and Duds for the Cleveland Browns in Week 8 defeat

Dud: Andrew Sendejo, Safety

Browns starting safety Andrew Sendejo continues to be picked on in passing coverage. He has performed so poorly that fans are demanding answers on how he continues to play over Karl Joseph and even Sheldrick Redwine.

There are certain situations where Sendejo gets a bad wrap and is out of position because of proper scheming from the other side, but there are far too many situations where he just gets beat and beat badly. Once or twice a game Sendejo makes a play that allows the offense to stay on the field and continue a drive.

It’s one thing when you have a great defense to make a mistake, but this defense isn’t great and needs to take advantage of every opportunity they have. Yes, Sendejo has two or three nice tackles where he flew in and didn’t allow any extra yards on short passes. However, he also lunged on a tackled and whiffed on 3rd and 18 which ended in a Raiders field goal.

Defensive coordinator Joe Woods has gotten the benefit of the doubt so far because of so many injuries, but the free pass needs to end. Fans deserve an explanation of why Sendejo continues to see playing time with capable players behind him.

I certainly hope there is a week where Sendejo doesn’t make the list of duds, but it doesn’t seem realistic at this moment. The Browns defense must get better, and it starts with their starting safety.