Week 16 instant reactions: Cleveland Browns lose while forced to play at competitive disadvantage

The NFL forced the Cleveland Browns to play at a competitive disadvantage

The Cleveland Browns have handled the COVID-19 protocols remarkably. But this week disaster struck. Linebacker B.J. Goodson tested positive for COVID-19. Later five other Browns were ruled out due to close contact tracing. They lost linebacker Jacob Phillips. Then they lost wide receivers Jarvis Landry, KhaDarel Hodge, Rashard Higgins, and Donovan Peoples-Jones.

Cleveland’s flight to New York was delayed by roughly four hours. Tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. flew to New York on a separate flight due to being sick. Wills was not a COVID-19 positive but was sick. He was later ruled out of the game due to illness.

All of this adds up to the Browns playing against the New York Jets with a severe competitive disadvantage. Nonetheless, the powers that be at the NFL decided to go ahead and play the game anyway.

Early in the game, the Browns looked jet-lagged and confused. They came out looking like they had no idea what to do without a functioning wide receiver. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was zoning in on his tight ends and running backs as his primary targets. The Jets were able to cover those receivers forcing the Browns to run the ball.

The offense also could not run the ball. Missing the entire wide receiver group makes it difficult to plan for a passing offense. Thus the Browns were forced to begin running the football. The Jets knew the run was coming and easily shut down the Browns rushing attack.

As one would figure, the Browns offense was lucky to put three points on the board in the first half. But the second half saw the Browns offense come to life.

The Browns were able to get two touchdowns to bring the score to 16-20 Jets. But a Baker Mayfield fumble gave the Jets the ball back inside the Browns red zone. The Browns were able to hold them to a field goal but when down by seven points late.

The Browns drove the ball down the field but the Browns fumbled the ball on fourth and one. This effectively lost the game for the Browns.

The NFL really screwed the Browns over by making them play at a competitive disadvantage. Who can expect the Browns to win while playing with their hands behind their back?

Maybe the NFL should have moved the game so the Browns could be healthy like they did for the Ravens on multiple occasions.