The Cleveland Browns: Close but no W yet.

If I were to tell you that the Cleveland Browns rookie QB (Brandon Weeden) threw for 300+ and 2 TD’s. Then in that same game, your featured running back (Trent Richardson) had 100+ yards and 1 touchdown. And as an added bonus, the Browns defense held your opposition to under 100 yards rushing you would probably think that the Cleveland Browns would win right?

 Unfortunately the answer is no as the Browns suffered a tough loss to the Cincinnati Bengals 27-34 on Sunday. Both teams played well against each other blow for blow. The difference maker in the game was on special teams where the Bengals’ Adam Jones took a punt return 81 yards for a touchdown. In addition the loss of shutdown corner Joe Haden on the field was painfully obvious as he has begun to serve his four game suspensions for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

 In conjunction with Sheldon Brown being ruled out for the game gave the Bengals (especially A.J. Green) plenty of space to throw the ball. But despite this being a heartbreaker to a league rival, I was able to walk away from this game with a positive feeling. Both QB Brandon Weeden and Trent Richardson played outstanding. Those fans “clambering for Colt” got to see today why the Browns are so high on Weeden. They also got to see what kind of a weapon we really have at our disposal with Richardson.

 And despite the poor passing defense and miscue on special teams, the Browns really beat themselves with 100+ yards in penalties. And giving your opponents additional opportunities will kill you every time. Next up the Browns is the 1-1 Buffalo Bills who pounded the Chiefs 35-17. Hopefully CB Sheldon Brown will be back and ready to go. But you can bet that penalties will be a focus in next week’s practices.

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