6 Studs and Duds for the Cleveland Browns in playoff-clinching win
By Greg Newland
Stud: Kevin Stefanski, Head Coach
This season has been a huge challenge for the entire league, but it’s even tougher for a first-time head coach like Kevin Stefanski. Not to mention a first-time head coach for a team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2002, and in a region where COVID-19 was a huge threat.
In the last two weeks, the Browns have been decimated with players out. And although the team lost an extremely disappointing game to the Jets last week, Stefanski had his troops prepared to play the Steelers this week.
The media will say that the Steelers didn’t have their guys playing, but I don’t care. When an organization hasn’t made the playoffs in 17 seasons, just take what the league gives you. The Browns didn’t decide that the Steelers should rest their players, they just went with the cards that were dealt to them.
With an 11-5 record in his first season, Stefanski becomes the winningest coach in the first season in Brown’s history. And while some fans argue the team should have 12 or 13 wins, if you offered 11-5 and the six seed in the playoffs to begin the season, they take it in a heartbeat.
Stefanski has an uphill battle going to Pittsburgh for the wildcard round of the playoffs, but just another chance to prove he is the guy. While the Browns may not win, let’s just hope they keep it respectable and keep the organization moving in the right direction before the 2021 season.