Puskas: Browns approach all-time depths

Dust off your lawn chairs. Paint your signs. It’s time for a parade.

After the Browns’ embarrassing no-show at Soldier Field in Chicago on Christmas Eve, all that remains between the worst team in NFL history and a Jan. 6 perfect season parade are the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Browns have been trending downward since Jimmy Haslam took over. And we know how bad they were before, so for the Haslam-owned version to be far worse is nothing short of incredible.

The Browns are 19-69 since Haslam officially took ownership.

They’re 15-64 since the start of the 2013 season.

They’re 4-48 since Thanksgiving 2014.

And there are numbers behind the numbers.

The 2017 Browns are not only 0-15, but they lead the NFL in red-zone turnovers with nine. No other team has more than three.

Those who’ve looked for the slimmest of silver linings have pointed to the Browns’ defense — under coordinator Gregg Williams — and its run-stopping abilities.

But where is that unit when it counts? After the Browns got a 48-yard field goal from Zane Gonzalez to end the first half with the Bears leading 6-3, Chicago drove for a touchdown that essentially put the game out of reach.

But early on that drive, Cleveland appeared to force a turnover when Myles Garrett intercepted a tipped Mitchell Trubisky pass and returned it for an apparent touchdown.

Not so fast, my friend. In typical Browns fashion, defensive end Carl Nassib was lined up offsides. Moments later, Trubisky and Benny Cunningham connected on a long gain on a screen pass and Jordan ran untouched for a 16-yard touchdown.

It was only 13-3 at that point, but it felt like 42-3.

Williams’ “run-stopping” defense hasn’t forced a turnover since Nov. 19.

It’s Week 16 and the Browns still can’t get lined up correctly. Jabrill Peppers also was in the neutral zone for a Cleveland penalty Sunday.

And speaking of penalties, Nassib also was flagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty on the Bears’ first TD drive and for holding on another play.

The Browns are an undisciplined mess on defense and they can’t get out of their own way on offense. DeShone Kizer threw two more interceptions — both on the Bears side of the field — and Ricardo Higgins fumbled into the end zone after a reception. Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson combined for two second-half carries.

Those expecting another Christmas Eve miracle from the Browns instead received the usual lump of coal.

But there is something positive in all this misery. The ongoing incompetence on and off the field makes it unlikely Haslam can keep Jackson employed beyond next week’s season-ending loss to the Steelers.

I know, I know. He is already on record saying Jackson’s job is safe for 2018, but only a complete buffoon could have watched this season play out the way it has and bring back this coaching staff.

You’d think so, anyway. But these are the Browns.

Write Vindicator Sports Editor Ed Puskas at epuskas@vindy.com and follow him on Twitter, @EdPuskas_Vindy.