Cleveland Browns: Studs and Duds from heartbreaking Week 1 loss

Cleveland Browns Stud: Kevin Stefanski playcalling

When the Cleveland Browns hired head coach Kevin Stefanski after the 2019 season, they said it was because of his great playcalling and vision. Many in the media, both locally and nationally, didn’t like the hire, especially after Stefanski’s Minnesota Vikings offense was outmatched in the 2019 playoffs by the San Francisco 49er’s defense.

However, after 18 games in 2020 and the first week in 2021, if you aren’t convinced Stefanski is an elite offensive play-caller, there will never be anything he does that changes your mind.

Time and again in the Browns’ Week 1 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, Stefanski found a matchup that he was able to exploit. First, it was attacking the secondary with speedy rookie wide receiver Anthony Schwartz. Next, it was rushing right at the defense over and over with the beasts in the backfield, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

He was able to also use his offense’s versatility, lining up in several different formations with the same personnel, often on the same drive, to keep the defense off-balance.

While this wasn’t enough to ultimately win the game against the Chiefs this time, it was enough to force them to come from behind in the second half. It also kept the ball out of Patrick Mahomes’ hands, with several sustained drives in the first half that led to scores.

Stefanski was also unafraid of any situation on Sunday afternoon, as he started off the game by going for two after the first touchdown, while also going three for four on fourth down conversions in the game.

As long as the Browns keep him around, Stefanski will help the Browns remain competitive in these kinds of games, and in time, win them.

There are still things that need to be cleaned up, and nothing is a finished product, but his offense should lead to many good things in the years to come for the Cleveland Browns.