Chapin: Browns better, but need work at crunch time

As a longtime Browns fan I am not certain how to react to Sunday’s last-second loss to Baltimore. One part of me wants to count the game — indeed the first three games — as a moral victory. The Browns, who have lost 10 or more games for who knows how long, are very close to being 3-0 against legitimate playoff-caliber teams.

However, I checked the NFL standings and could not find an MV (moral victory) column. The Browns were listed in last place in the AFC Central with a record of 1-2. If they continue that pace it will result in another double-digit loss season.

But I don’t think that is going to happen. I think this is a much better team than in recent years. In fact, Cleveland has been the better team on the field for much of the first three games.

Unquestionably though, this team still needs to learn to make plays more consistently at so-called “winning time.” In any close game in the NFL, the contest is decided by a handful of plays at decisive moments, usually in the final quarter.

Statistically it would appear the Cleveland offense had a good game Sunday and the defense a poor game. But despite yielding a lot of yards, the defense came up with big plays in situations late in the game only to see the offense fail to take advantage.

The Browns took a 21-17 lead in the final minute of the third quarter. On the Ravens’ next possession, Tashaun Gipson intercepted and set up the Browns on the Baltimore 30. That’s the kind of momentum-changing play you want out of your defense. A touchdown here makes it a two-score game. Instead, the Browns ended up with a 50-yard field goal attempt by Billy Cundiff that hit the left upright.

On Baltimore’s ensuing possession the Ravens got the ball to the Cleveland 21 where they were stuffed on fourth down. Once again the Browns defense made a big play during “winning time.”

Two plays later Brian Hoyer hit Tyler Gabriel for 70 yards and the Browns were set up first-and-goal at the 9. This time a botched handoff and Hoyer’s inexplicable decision to pass when he was almost 5 yards past the line of scrimmage set up a 36-yard kick by Cundiff which was blocked.

The defense then faltered — three runs for 38 yards, two timeouts because of substitution issues and a long pass interference penalty — but still held at the end, forcing a field goal which cut the lead to 21-20 with five minutes left.

The Browns offense “responded” with a three-and-out but the defense forced a Baltimore punt to get the ball back. The offense once again failed to record a first down leaving the Ravens in great field position to march for the winning kick.

So, what do we make of this Browns team? Can we realistically hope for playoff contention?

There are definitely some beatable teams on the schedule but one thing was made clear on Sunday. The Browns are much improved but they are not good enough yet to win when one or more phases of the game — offense, defense, special teams — does not play well when the game is on the line.

Write Vindicator sportswriter Doug Chapin at dchapin@vindy.com.