Baker Mayfield was off rhythm the entire game after losing four receivers this weekend due to COVID protocols. (New York Jets)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Instant takeaways from Browns 23-16 loss to the New York Jets …
1. Embrace the suck?: Kevin Stefanski is a legit coach-of-the-year contender, but not a miracle worker. He couldn’t pull the win out of his depleted team less than 24 hours after the coronavirus robbed the Browns of their top four receivers and three other starters. With a hurriedly adjusted game plan, the Browns stunk early, narrowed a 20-3 deficit with two touchdowns in the second half, but fell short of a frenetic comeback against the hapless New York Jets in MetLife Stadium. The 23-16 Browns’ loss dropped them to 10-5 and to seventh and the last AFC playoff berth. The Colts (10-5) lost to the Steelers and fell to eighth. The Browns play Pittsburgh Sunday in FirstEnergy Stadium and are in if they win. They would need help if they lose.
2. Loose balls: The Browns had two offensive drives to pull the game out, and both ended in lost fumbles by Baker Mayfield. The second one occurred on a Mayfield sneak on fourth-and-1 from the Jets’ 16 with 1:18 to play. Kareem Hunt recovered the ball, but by rule it had to be moved to the point of fumble, which was short of the first down. On the previous drive, Mayfield was stripped of the ball running from pressure at the Browns’ 15-yard line. Mayfield also lost a fumble in the first half. Throwing early and often, Mayfield was 28 of 53 for 285 yards, four sacks and the three lost fumbles. The Browns rushed the ball 18 times for 45 yards and two touchdowns. Nick Chubb carried 11 times for 28 yards and one TD.
3. A special teams spark: The Browns special teams giveth and taketh on a Jets possession in the third quarter. The defense forced a punt from mid-field, but reserve safety Jovante Moffatt’s diving attempt to block it resulted in a roughing-the-kicker call and a Jets first down. Four plays later, however, a 50-yard field goal attempt by Sam Ficken was blocked by Sheldon Richardson. The ex-Jet also blocked Ficken’s PAT after the Jets’ second touchdown. The block sparked the Browns to their first touchdown drive. Mayfield finally found some chemistry with receiver Ja’Marcus Bradley for completions of 7 and 21 yards to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Nick Chubb to make it 20-10, Jets.
4. Tempo: The deficit forced the Browns’ into an uptempo offense into the fourth quarter. It got Mayfield into a better throwing rhythm. After the defense forced a three-and-out and punt, Mayfield moved the offense 83 yards in 12 plays. He connected twice with Bradley and Chubb got rolling. And Kareem Hunt scored the touchdown on a 4-yard run. But Cody Parkey banged the PAT off the left upright, leaving the Browns behind, 20-16.
5. Deeper hole: By virtue of their opening deferral, the Jets received the ball first in the second half and they made the Browns pay with a touchdown to go up, 20-3. The TD came on a 30-yard Sam Darnold pass to Jamison Crowder, who broke free after a Jets’ combination pick out of a three-receiver bunch formation. The Jets extended the drive on a 26-yard catch-and-run by Crowder on a short throw underneath. A Kevin Johnson missed tackle added to the big gain.
6. One ugly half: It was so bad for the Browns that they attempted a 61-yard field goal by punter Jamie Gillan on the last play of the first half. It was short and pulled left, leaving the Jets ahead, 13-3. The events of the previous 30 hours totally discombobulated the Browns’ offense. Mayfield attempted 24 passes – only two to the emergency receivers activated off the practice squad – and was sacked three times. The Browns ran the ball nine times for 4 yards. The Browns had 103 yards total offense to the Jets' 178.
7. Identity crisis: Stefanski chose not to lean on his offense’s strength at the start of the game and came out throwing. On way to an early field goal, Mayfield threw on 9 of the first 11 plays – exclusively to tight ends and backs. Chubb had 0 yards on his first five carries. The exclusion of Chubb helped to create a 13-3 deficit. Thus, early in the second quarter the Browns already were forced out of their bread-and-butter running game.
8. Razzle dazzle: The Jets stole a page out of the Browns’ playbook for their first touchdown – a receiver pass. Running back Ty Johnson took the handoff, pitched to receiver Jamison Crowder coming on an end-around, and Crowder heaved a perfect pass to receiver Braxton Berrios down the right sideline for a 43-yard touchdown. Berrios began the play lined up behind Darnold in the backfield.
9. They missed it: Mayfield turned the ball over at the Browns’ 30 on a strip sack by Frankie Luvo, on which the ball was recovered in the air by Folorunso Fatukasi. What the officials missed was the big left hand of end Tarell Basham clenched on Mayfield’s helmet shield.
10. And they missed another: With 7:35 to go in the second quarter, Myles Garrett appeared to strip the ball from Darnold. The officials ruled Darnold was in the process of a pass attempt. Stefanski challenged. The play stood as called. On the CBS telecast, rules analyst and ex-official Gene Steratore disagreed with the call and pointed out the ball was out of Darnold’s hands as his arm was moving forward. The Jets had to punt, but it cost the Browns a possession deep in Jets territory.
11. Double digits: The Jets took a double-digit lead after the Mayfield turnover. They needed only four plays to get to the end zone. Darnold had an easy throw to tight end Chris Herndon from 11 yards. Herndon was uncovered in the middle of the end zone. Sam Ficken’s PAT was blocked by Richardson, keeping the Jets lead at 13-3.
12. No WRs, big problem: The first target to a wideout went to Bradley for 5 yards on Mayfield’s 10th pass attempt. Later, Mayfield suffered one of his three sacks in the first half when Bradley appeared confused about the route called and Mayfield had to hold the ball.
13. Pre-game notes: On Sunday morning, left tackle Jedrick Wills was downgraded to out due to illness. So he joined Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, Donovan Peoples-Jones, B.J. Goodson and Jacob Phillips as out for the game. It resulted in the following starting lineup changes: Marvin Hall and Ja’Marcus Bradley at wide receiver, Kendall Lamm at left tackle, Nick Harris at right guard, Tae Davis at middle linebacker and Mack Wilson at weakside linebacker.