Week 12 Instant Reactions: Cleveland Browns offense continues to falter in loss to Ravens

Cleveland Browns playcalling and penalties

This game’s tone took on a similar feel. As has been the case for much of the season, there were several penalties that put them in bad spots and the playcalling left a lot to be desired.

The Browns registered several illegal formation penalties early on. In one very strange sequence in the first half, the Ravens were attempting to go for a fourth and two and the Browns called a timeout right before the play was run because they had an extra player on the field and didn’t want a penalty called on them.

After the timeout the Browns still had 12 players on the field and were called for the penalty; a complete blunder by the players and coach and just emphasized how poor the communication is between the two.

As for the playcalling, Kevin Stefanski’s refusal to run a more balanced attack offensively is really mind-boggling. He had Baker Mayfield throwing the ball 22 times in the first half while Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt only ran the ball just nine times. Why does Stefanski refuse to play his running game more when it’s the best in the league? Sure, the Ravens were stacking the line but even the threat of a run is better than just dropping back and slinging it when that’s not working either.

In another strange play call, Stefanski went to wildcat formation giving the ball to wide receiver Jarvis Landry who danced around the pocket and then fumbled the ball away. Why the Browns coach continues to try razzle-dazzle plays and not first establish a run game is beyond this writer’s pay grade.

He certainly is creating more controversy with every loss on the season because he keeps telling the world that he needs to coach better and that doesn’t seem to be happening.