3 reasons the Cleveland Browns are imploding in 2022
By Greg Newland
After having hope coming into this week, the Cleveland Browns stumbled big time in a blowout loss that could have significant repercussions long term.
Last week on Monday morning we were all walking through scenarios on how the Cleveland Browns could still make the playoffs if they found a way to win vs. the Miami Dolphins. While the Browns would still have a legitimate shot if they found a way to beat both the Bills and Buccaneers, it’s becoming more and more evident there are some serious issues with this team beyond just losing.
In Sunday’s game, the Dolphins scored on every single possession, and it never once felt like the defense had a legitimate shot. On top of that, the Browns dominant run game was completely shot down and it was only a few garbage time runs that kept the stat sheet from looking like a total blowout.
Even though the Browns were 1-2 in their last three coming into Sunday, the team had really started playing better, especially right before the bye. Here are three reasons you could continue to see this team implode before the end of the season.
3 reasons the Cleveland Browns are imploding
Reason No. 3 – Continued dysfunction
Although things don’t appear to be as bad as last season when Odell Beckham really caused stress in this locker room, the Cleveland Browns continue to have dysfunction. Not only are they struggling on the field, but now they are dealing with Deshaun Watson returning to practice after facing 20-plus charges around sexual misconduct.
Kevin Stefanski and coaches now get to deal with answering questions on why the team looked so bad, and how they are going to handle the return of Watson. As good of a player as he is, I don’t think there won’t be some drama with his return. The league made it clear they wanted him gone for the year, and there are still many people who don’t want him playing this year — or at all.
This team has enough to worry about, and the added dysfunction from the Watson return could be enough to push things over the edge.