The Cleveland Browns hoped to start off the season with a win against the Dallas Cowboys on September 8.
Deshaun Watson was back in the starting lineup ready to play in the game. The Browns went on to lose that game 17-33, hoping to come back and win next week against Jacksonville. The Browns went on to win the game 13-18 to improve to 1-1. The Browns went on to lose the next five straight games to the Giants, Raiders, Commanders, Eagles, and the Bengals.
The Browns had high hopes to have a better season after improving their offense and defense throughout the offseason.
“When it comes to pass protection, I think I’ve told you guys this before, it’s not just the offensive line,” Stefanski said. “It can certainly be your running backs and your tight ends. It can be you weren’t playing on time in the pass game, so your receiver isn’t getting open, those types of things. So, it’s an area that we have to get better, no doubt, and I think Deshaun understands that as well and I think he’s committed to getting better as well.”
During week 7, The Browns went up against the Bengals. Watson got hurt, resulting in season ending surgery on his Achilles.
That’s the second time in two years Watson had a season-ending injury. The Browns started QB Jameis Winstson, who was the backup.
“We feel bad for Deshaun,” Stefanski said. “In this case, feel bad to lose him for the season. And we also know as a football team, this is where you have to step up. Guys have to step up, and that’s just how it goes.”
The Browns went on to beat the Ravens the following week 29-24. Winston had a great first game, throwing for 334 yards and 2 touchdowns. The next week, the Browns went on to play the Chargers with high hopes after coming off an upset win and a well played game. The Browns went on to lose that game 10-27. The Browns record advances to 2-7.
The Browns are now the last spot in the AFC North and will have a very small chance to make a playoff push this season.
“As a Quarterback, my job is to lead our team, to get into the endzone. And we didn’t do that enough. The biggest thing is we have to eliminate players that beat us, and we all know that plays that can help this team out with,” says Winston.
