Analysis: Five takeaways from another embarrassing defeat

For the Browns, it felt like a last stand.

The coaches and players talked all week about preparing better and communicating more. It’s about defeating the commanders to stop the terrible beginning. About the fact that all of her goals were still achievable.

If this really was a last stand, it at least ranks above Custer’s.

Commentary: Deshaun Watson tops the Browns’ long list of problems

The Browns were embarrassed by the Commanders 34-13 on Sunday, falling to 1-4. For the fourth time in five games, the E-word was appropriate.

This is the kind of relationship where fans throw things at the TV and go to X to air their grievances.

Additionally, the organization should check everything. Every roster change, every hire and every decision.

The Browns were outgained 434-212 yards and at one point the score was 221-42. They didn’t reach 300 yards in a game.

After finishing last in the league with a conversion rate of 20.8 percent, they were 1:13 in third place.

They were penalized nine times, continuing another ugly trend.

Here are five thoughts after a game the Browns and their fans would rather erase from their memories:

Kevin Stefanski is sticking with Deshaun Watson

As bad as it gets?

This is the worst stretch in coach Kevin Stefanski’s four-plus year tenure. The Browns lost four straight in 2022 and were 2-5, but that happened because Deshaun Watson was serving a suspension.

Stefanski has his “franchise quarterback” this year, but that didn’t matter.

The three-game losing streak and overall disastrous first month are testing Stefanski’s approach, his answers to reporters and his leadership. A common criticism of Stefanski is that he doesn’t show enough emotion on the sidelines. Well, the frustration was evident on Sunday in Landover, Maryland.

The television cameras caught him at times shaking his head and visibly upset about a botched fourth down early in the third quarter when the Browns trailed 24-3. After getting to the 2, they had a fourth-and-goal from the 8 before a false start by rookie guard Zak Zinter, a sack by Watson and a drop in the end zone by Jerry Jeudy.

Stefanski sent a play and spun on the sideline. When he looked back, he couldn’t believe Watson was walking towards him.

The Browns had 12 players on the field – receivers Amari Cooper, Jeudy and Cedric Tillman, tight ends Njoku and Jordan Akins and running back Jerome Ford were one too many for the skill positions. Instead of sending a player off the field and trying to advance the game, Watson settled for a delayed game penalty and a field goal.

“We had some misunderstandings that were entirely my fault,” Stefanski said. “I take responsibility for all of this. To me it looks like losing football. I’ll get it repaired.”

Players seemed energized throughout the week and determined to fix the problems. None of the work showed up when it was counted.

All that remains are questions.

Nobody expected a win after five games. Not for a team that won 11 times last year and returned almost all of them.

“One-and-4 eats you up,” Stefanski said. “We will find a way together.”

The season feels like it’s already lost. Stefanski’s job is to make sure that’s not the case.

STATUS QUO

Watson played his best game of the season in a 20-16 loss to the Raiders last week. His performance against the Commanders was his worst.

He went 15 of 28 for 125 yards — he still hasn’t reached 200 yards this year — with a touchdown, seven sacks, a lost fumble and a passer rating of 77.2. It was so bad that Stefanski was asked if he should bench his $230 million quarterback in favor of backup Jameis Winston.

“We don’t change quarterbacks,” Stefanski said. “We have to play better. I have to train better. And that’s exactly what it is.”

Like all year, Watson didn’t get much help. Jeudy dropped a touchdown, the running game went nowhere until the score was out of control and the defense was bad again.

But Watson isn’t doing enough to lift an offense that’s mired in the muck.

When there is no pressure and he has time, he still leaves the pocket, often with the receiver open. He seems timid after taking so many hits this year.

He’s not going anywhere.

“He’s playing his best,” said defensive end Myles Garrett, who was not credited with any tackles, quarterback hits or sacks. “He’s trying to make plays. That is what we ask of him.

“We’re going to do it right and he’s going to be a part of it.”

Watson was asked to rate his game.

“I do what I have to do and just try to get the ball out as quickly as possible,” he said. “Get the ball to the guys, make the right reads. Everything won’t be perfect, but at the same time, try to create and play whenever there’s nothing there.”

Stop talking about playoffs

When Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was asked about the 1-3 record last week, he said, “We have an opportunity here to get to 14-3.” Garrett, David Njoku and Greg Newsome II agreed the Browns are ready were for a run.

I appreciate the optimism. After Sunday it’s no longer close to reality.

There are 12 games left and anything can happen, but the players need to put public discussion about the playoffs on hold.

Here’s a list of things that should be done before they bring it up again: converting more than a third down, having only 11 players on the field each play, missing less than a handful of tackles, and winning most blitzes .

BLOCK SOMEONE

Watson’s reluctance to stay in the pocket is understandable, if not acceptable. He spent much of the season recovering from the floor.

Watson could help by making quicker decisions and not getting into trouble, which has happened too often. But that in no way forgives the cruel behavior of those who want to protect him.

There are numerous examples in every game of a lineman, tight end, or running back being beaten by a pass rusher or leaving someone unblocked due to confusion.

Right tackle Dawand Jones did not block a rusher off the edge for the second straight game. Zinter was beaten several times. Ford was blown up by a linebacker. Left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. gave up a sack when he failed to complete the stunt.

The line should be a strength. It was a burden. And injuries cannot be blamed for everything.

Get defensive

The defense was unable to dominate all year long.

It wasn’t nearly enough against the commanders.

“It wasn’t a good thing,” Garrett said. “We expect more from each individual.”

The Browns had a solid plan for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The plan lacked implementation.

Owusu-Koramoah had a diving interception, a forced fumble, a sack and two tackles for loss. But twice he targeted Daniels and let him escape to make big plays.

Daniels wasn’t as efficient as he had been in the first four games, but he made up for it with his explosiveness. He threw for 238 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 82 yards.

The Browns allowed 434 yards, including 215 rushing. The Commanders scored 17 points in the second quarter to build a lead that the Browns couldn’t overcome.

The defense is a far cry from the one that ranked No. 1 last year.

“We took a step back to that point,” Garrett said. “We need to search for souls.”

Brown is a writer for The Chronicle-Telegram and The Medina Gazette. Proud graduate of Northwestern University. Husband and stepfather. Avid golfer who needs to hit the range to achieve a single-digit handicap. Right about Johnny Manziel, wrong about Brandon Weeden. Contact Scott at 440-329-7253 or email him and follow him on and Twitter.