3 biggest Cleveland Browns disappointments heading into Week 16
By Greg Newland
The Cleveland Browns will be trying to win 3 straight to close out 2022, but heading into week 16 here are the 3 most disappointing items.
The Cleveland Browns head into week 16 with bleak playoff hopes, but they are at least alive. They would need to win out and some help, but if they finish 9-7, they still have a shot at the wildcard. The biggest issue, most of the teams ahead of them (Patriots, Jets, and Chargers), the Browns have already lost to this season.
This team is playing for a draft pick with everything they gave up to land Deshaun Watson, and they have a chance to finish the season winning five of six and not having a losing season. That may not sound like much, but for everything this team has gone through that would be a great way to end the 2022 season with a positive vibe heading to 2023.
While there is a bit of positivity around this team now, there are still some major disappointments that can hopefully be addressed over the next three weeks.
No. 3 – Poor special teams play
The easy target here continues to be Cade York. Although he had gotten better, he missed two kicks last week vs. the Ravens which could have ended up being costly. We must remember, this kid hit a 58-yard game-winner vs. the Panthers in Week 1. Most of his issues are above the shoulder which hopefully he can correct in the last three weeks of the year.
On one positive, Jerome Ford and Donovan Peoples-Jones have drastically stepped up the return game, but our coverage teams continue to be mediocre at best. Every time DPJ catches a punt he is surrounded, but whenever the Browns boot one deep, it feels like the guy has 15 yards before he even has to elude a defender and is already up to full speed.
Mike Priefer has been given a fair chance, and this unit may just need a fresh start and a new coach for the 2023 season to get things right.