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Cleveland Browns: Disappointing numbers behind continuing woes

By Russell S. Baxter

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 28: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns is wrapped up for a tackle by Coty Sensabaugh #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half in the game at Heinz Field on October 28, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 28: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns is wrapped up for a tackle by Coty Sensabaugh #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half in the game at Heinz Field on October 28, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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Just when you thought it was safe to think that things were a little different when it came to the Cleveland Browns, well — apparently not quite yet.

Just over three weeks ago, things were looking good for an NFL franchise that has struggled mightily since returning to the NFL as an expansion team in 1999. The Cleveland Browns were coming off an important 12-9 overtime home win over the rival Baltimore Ravens. It was the club’s first divisional victory in three years. It gave the team a 2-2-1 win-loss record. Consider the previous two seasons, the Browns won one game in 32 tries.

But that was then and this is now. The club just lost its third consecutive game, this time a 33-18 setback to the Steelers at Heinz Field. The Browns have not won in Pittsburgh since 2003. The team has now dropped 25 straight road games, the second-longest streak in NFL annals. And this latest setback proved to be the last for Hue Jackson as the team’s head coach.

On Monday, he was dismissed, along with offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was elevated to take over for Jackson.

In some ways, the departure of Haley was a bit of a surprise. But the reported disharmony between the offensive coordinator and Jackson was out there and the decision was made to part ways with both.

Browns’ general manager John Dorsey joined the team late last year and has done an excellent job supplying this team with talent this offseason via trades, free agency and/or the 2018 NFL Draft. Rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield looks like the real deal, as do fellow 2018 classmates in cornerback Denzel Ward and running back Nick Chubb.

Dorsey traded for wide receiver Jarvis Landry, who’s caught a team-best 49 passes for 528 yards and two scores. And second-year defensive end Myles Garrett, who arrived in April of 2017, is tied for second in the league with eight sacks.

And yet, the Browns are riding a three-game losing streak. But wait, it gets much worse.

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