The Cleveland Browns had another sloppy performance Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, resulting in a 31-28 road defeat to fall to 0-3. There were nine penalties against the Browns, which gave the Colts over 100 yards, and quarterback DeShone Kizer threw three interceptions.
Cleveland’s running game struggled, with Isaiah Crowell totaling just 44 yards on the ground on 12 carries. The receivers dropped more than a handful of passes and there were multiple offensive pass interference calls that negated big gains.
The defense played well in the second half, giving up only three points, but the Browns were so far behind that three points was the difference in the ballgame. Things started clicking in the 4th quarter, with Kenny Britt finally catching a pass in the end zone and Kizer plunging in for a one-yard touchdown, but it was too little, too late.
Good teams with leads late in ball games do not squander them, and that is what the Browns learned on Sunday.
Cleveland has to run the ball more effectively and more often to help Kizer out. The defense needs to step up in crucial situations as well. Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett was wrapped up twice in the first half near the goal line, but poor tackling led to two touchdowns and added confidence.
Cornerback Jamar Taylor was beat multiple times by T.Y. Hilton all day long, exposing the Browns biggest weakness – the secondary.
Sunday’s loss was disappointing, especially the manner in which they lost, since the Colts are not the greatest team in the world. However, fans learned one thing from this game: the Browns are still the worst team in the NFL, and there is a lot of work ahead.
The Browns will be back home this Sunday to host the Cincinnati Bengals.