Cleveland Browns Week 8 grades: Failures rule as dysfunction prevails

Cleveland Browns Defensive Grade: D

I had suggested in another article I wrote before the game that the Browns would shut out the Steelers in the first half and that almost happened as they gave up only the three points. What really bothers me about the defensive performance though was after that first half, as the team’s secondary and its lack of pass rush really failed in important moments of the game. The Browns had captured the lead 10-3 after its impressive first offensive series of the second half.

The next Pittsburgh possession would be critical in this game and Cleveland’s defense, who had forced a few three and outs by the Steelers in the first half reverted back to its bad ways. They allowed their rivals to take almost six minutes off the clock on a 12 play drive that went 78 yards. The Browns got the Steelers into a fourth-and-one play during the drive but they couldn’t stop them.

After Pittsburgh didn’t convert on the two-point attempt after their touchdown, the Browns still led, but you could feel the momentum of the moment shift in favor of Pittsburgh.

When the Steelers got the ball back they went on a 13 play drive over the next five minutes that produced the game-winning touchdown pass on a fourth-and-two attempt. The chips haven’t been falling right for the Browns defense all season and this was another hard pill to swallow as the Steelers gained all the momentum to the end.

I know others will argue that Cleveland only gave up 15 points and that should be good enough to win games. We shouldn’t blame this loss on the defense, but rather on Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield and the receivers, like Jarvis Landry for fumbling away a chance at the victory, but I blame this Cleveland defense just as much.

Why?

Because they had two opportunities to stand up and be strong and they failed again like all they have all season. The players, like their coach likes to say, “have to play better or be better.”

So when is that exactly going to happen? We are entering Week 9 and still waiting.