4 Frustrating takeaways from Cleveland Browns win over Baltimore

Cleveland Browns Frustration No. 1 – No killer instinct

The Cleveland Browns in 2020 figured out how to close games. They would get leads, play defense, and then just run the ball and chew up the clock.  If they needed two first downs to run the clock to zero, they just did it.

In 2021 they have yet to find that killer instinct. Not only did Lamar Jackson get injured on the first drive of the game, but the Browns also had a 24-6 lead at the half, and had a serious opportunity to lose the game.

That can’t happen with Jackson in the game, let alone with Tyler Huntley who had zero practice snaps all week and led the team to 16 second-half points.

In my opinion, Joe Woods called a great game. He was extremely aggressive, and the defense just didn’t execute. Multiple times on third and fourth down he brought five or six guys and they had no success getting pressure or he was able to complete a pass and the wide receiver breaks a tackle.

Don’t get me started with the offense. How were they able to put up 24 points (17 from the offense) in the first half, and then absolutely nothing in the second half.

They did miss a field goal, but other than that it was disappointment after disappointment. I know the Ravens stacked the box, but 100 total rushing yards just isn’t going to get it done for the Browns if they want to make the playoffs.

This offensive line is supposed to be one of the best in the league, and they need to start playing like it. This is a game where the Browns started to wear down the Ravens front and just couldn’t finish the job.

The Cleveland Browns need to be able to step on the jugular if a team gives them the chance, and they must find a way to close games again so their fans don’t have a heart rate over 150 beats per minute the entire fourth quarter.