3 reasons the Browns can’t afford a Week 2 loss
By Greg Newland
The Cleveland Browns should be thrilled with starting 1-0 in 2022, but unfortunately, their Week 2 matchup may already be a “must-win” game.
Last Sunday, the Cleveland Browns broke the decade-plus streak of losing season openers. It took every second of the clock and a 58-yard field goal as time expired, but a win is a win. We can’t forget the win was a little bit sweeter as well coming against former starting Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The defense played extremely well for two and a half quarters and the Browns running game was just enough to get the win. Jacoby Brissett was inaccurate most of the day but did have a few huge throws on third downs that gave the team the chance to win.
The New York Jets come to town Sunday, and this is another winnable game that the Browns must come away with. The familiar Joe Flacco who had much success against the Browns in his Ravens days will be the starting quarterback, but this defense should be up to the test.
It’s tough to say that game No. 2 of a season is “must-win,” but here are three reasons why that holds true for the Browns.
3 reasons the Browns can’t afford a Week 2 loss
No. 3: History
You hate to say that the fans deserve one, but they really do.
Do you realize the last time the Cleveland Browns started 2-0 was 1993 when Bill Belichick was the head coach? Now there were a few years of the team not existing, but that is an incredibly long time. Side note, they only won their season opener one time during that same stretch (in 1994).
After securing the win last Sunday, the crowd today in First Energy Stadium will be electric. If the Cleveland defense can come out and get a stop, and this offense can find a way into the endzone, they can cause some problems for Flacco and the entire Jets offense all day.
The fans don’t play the game, but they certainly could have a factor and deserve the 2-0 start more than anyone.