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Cleveland Browns studs and duds: Kevin Stefanski lets team down in Week 5 loss

By Randy Gurzi

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 10: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns talks with head coach Kevin Stefanski during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 10: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns talks with head coach Kevin Stefanski during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
Oct 10, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs the ball against the Cleveland Browns in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski had a fourth-quarter to forget as his playcalling had a lot to do with their loss to the Chargers in Week 5

It was a frustrating loss for the Cleveland Browns as they lost 47-42 after a fourth-quarter full of fireworks. There was a combined 41 points in the final 15 minutes and Cleveland just ran out of time as they fell to 3-2.

Things started out well as the defense got their first three and out on an opening drive of the season but then injuries started to slow them down and the Chargers offense — and a terrible pass interference call against A.J. Green — helped seal their fate.

Here we look back over the game and point out the studs and duds, including the head coach who might have played it too conservative near the end.

Cleveland Browns Stud: Nick Chubb

There’s no denying that Nick Chubb is the man. He was on fire Sunday with 161 yards rushing on 21 carries, including a long of 52. He also scored a touchdown as he did all he could to help the Browns try and steal a win in Los Angeles.

Cleveland Browns Dud: Kevin Stefanski

Kevin Stefanski said he needed to do better when it came to getting Baker Mayfield in a rhythm and he did just that. The Browns offense started out hot as he was calling plays that had Mayfield moving the ball up and down the field.

Unfortunately, things cooled off when they needed to move the ball at the end of the game. Yes, Baker deserves some blame as he missed a couple of open receivers, including one time when Odell Beckham, Jr. was standing alone around the three-minute mark in the fourth quarter.

Still, Stefanski deserves most of the blame. He called an ultra-conservative draw play on a crucial third-and-10 while up by one. Even worse, they moved the ball just 12 yards in 50 seconds after getting it back with 1:30 to play down by five.

Stefanski is a great coach but this was not his best game.

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