Josh McCown Implodes, Costs Browns a Win Versus Broncos

Veteran quarterback Josh McCown cost the Cleveland Browns a win against the Denver Broncos at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday.

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Fans of the Browns may point out that head coach Mike Pettine should not have elected to go for a two-point conversion that cost Cleveland what could have been a useful point. Analysts may mention that the Browns surrendered a total of 152 rushing yards to a Denver offense that had, before Sunday, failed to average even 72 yards on the ground a game this season. Frustrated followers of the Browns could bring up the fact that the three Cleveland running backs only averaged 3.3 yards per carry against the Broncos if you round up.

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Quarterback play wins you games, and it loses you games. McCown lost the game for the Browns against the Broncos.

Cruelest of all for Cleveland fans is that fate repeatedly smiled on the Browns — the Browns! — on Sunday. Denver quarterback Peyton Manning is clearly a shell of his former self, something he showed time and time again against the Browns. Manning was picked off three times, one of which was taken to the house for a pick-six, and a third and final interception that occurred in overtime. That final pick shouldn’t have happened in the first place, though, as the Browns could have won the game at the end of regulation if not for McCown.

With the game tied at 23 and 90 seconds left on the clock, Manning and the Broncos had possession of the ball on the Denver 23-yard line. Manning connected with Demaryius Thomas for what should have been a first down that jump-started the drive, but Thomas dropped the perfectly-placed Manning pass. That drop was followed up by a Denver punt, and then by a pass from McCown that put the Browns at the Denver 46-yard line with roughly a minute left on the clock.

McCown and Brian Hartline failed to hook up down the left sideline on first down. McCown then, with 53 seconds on the clock and the Browns close to field-goal range, dropped back to pass. The 36-year-old brought in by the Browns to manage games and play smart football had plenty of time to either attempt to escape the pocket, throw the ball away or take the sack. McCown kept his eyes down the field as the pocket collapsed, and he then did the only thing he absolutely could not do in that situation;

he forced a throw as he was being pressured. McCown’s arm was hit by a pass-rusher, the ball became a wounded duck in the air, David Bruton Jr. reeled in the easy interception.

It was the second time this season that McCown killed a potential rally when he could have instead lived to fight another play. Against the Oakland Raiders last month, McCown forced a pass down the field rather than check down to RB Duke Johnson late in the game. McCown was intercepted then as he was by Bruton on Sunday. Had McCown taken the sack against the Broncos, Cleveland would have had at least one additional offensive play. Picking up a handful of yards on that last play could have been good enough to give placekicker Travis Coons a chance to win the game with his foot.

McCown was given second life in overtime when linebacker Barkevious Mingo, who has been a non-factor more often than not during his short Cleveland career, left his feet to intercept Manning on the first drive of the extra period. Cleveland had possession of the ball at the Denver 39-yard line, a first down away from being well-within Coons’ range. All McCown and the Browns had to do was play positive and safe football.

Instead, McCown pitched the ball to Robert Turbin on first down. Turbin, who was playing in his first game of the season after being sidelined because of an injured ankle, nearly dropped the ball. The Browns lost three yards. McCown took a sack rather than throw the ball away on second down, costing the Browns eight yards and a realistic chance at a field goal. Then, staring at third-and-forever, McCown decided that it was wiser to run into the line and protect the ball rather than to take a shot down-field and risk an interception that would have been as good as a punt.

McCown is not supposed to have these types of mental meltdowns. Unlike younger National Football League quarterbacks such as Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles, Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston, McCown is supposed to know that throwing up a prayer at that part of the fourth quarter while at midfield is unacceptable. Pettine and his staff trust that McCown will know that being sacked in overtime when the Browns are yards away from a field goal attempt that could win the game is something that just cannot happen.

Oct 18, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) passes in the second half against the Denver Broncos at FirstEnergy Stadium. Denver defeated Cleveland 26-23. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

Opponents make plays. It happens. Cleveland fans would have been dejected had, for example, Denver cornerback Aqib Talib expertly jumped a route and beat a wide receiver to a pass late in regulation. One would also have to give Talib praise for being the better man in that one scenario.

That’s not what occurred in Cleveland on Sunday. McCown presented Denver with multiple gifts when it mattered most, and the Broncos, as teams that are undefeated six games into the campaign do, finally made the Browns pay.

None of this is to suggest that Manziel should be given the keys to the Cleveland offense after today’s events. Austin Davis should not take first-team reps for the Browns during midweek practice sessions. McCown does not yet deserve that.

He has played well enough for the Browns to win more often than not over the past 12 quarters. Sunday against the Broncos was, however, the second time this season that McCown folded with the game on the line.

Those types of breakdowns cost a QB who is in the twilight of what has not been a spectacular career his job.

Next: Is Jim Brown the greatest RB in NFL history?

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