Nobody can question Bill Belichick's coaching, but his free agent spending has to be a point of discussion with Patriots owner Robert Kraft. (Getty Images)
NFL wild card games told the story of Browns’ ridiculous inconsistency
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Takeaways from NFL Super Wild Card Weekend …
Cincinnati Bengals 26, Las Vegas Raiders 19
1. The Browns’ best game overall – their only complementary game -- came in their 41-16 rout of the Bengals on Nov. 7. It was also their best defensive game, considering the Bengals’ elite offensive team. The physical job the Browns’ did on Cincinnati’s receivers, particularly Ja’Marr Chase, was never duplicated. One of the great mysteries of the Browns’ season was why coordinator Joe Woods did not consistently use press coverage like he did against the Bengals.
2. The Bengals could have blown the Raiders out of Paul Brown Stadium if not for failing in the red zone and settling for field goals two times in the first half and three times overall. Did the Bengals get a little conservative in the second half? Yes. But they were able to fend off the Ghosts of Past Cincinnati Postseason Failures in the end.
3. No matter how the Bengals’ season ends, Joe Burrow deserves to be placed in the NFL’s top tier of quarterbacks.
Buffalo Bills 47, New England Patriots 17
1. If the Browns’ win over the Bengals was their best game, then their 45-7 loss to the Patriots was their worst. So there lies the story of the Browns’ inconsistency. Their best and worst games came in back-to-back weeks. If you want to be real about it, Baker Mayfield was never the same after the Patriots game. The injury to his left shoulder – and the aggravated injury – occurred eight and four weeks earlier, respectively.
2. The Patriots spent $163 million guaranteed in free agency this year. Yet, except for quarterback, they looked slow and old in taking the worst post-season beating in Bill Belichick’s coaching career. Owner Robert Kraft won’t question Belichick’s coaching, but will question his spending.
3. Josh Allen has improved as a quarterback in each of his four years with the Bills. When you start with elite physical attributes – height, weight, arm strength, mobility -- most everything else can be improved. That’s pretty much true for any position. There are always going to be exceptions, but counting on making an exception is a losing proposition. The lesson is this: When in doubt, choose the player with exceptional physical attributes.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34, Philadelphia Eagles 15
1. The Eagles did a good job of just getting to the playoffs by emphasizing their running game with a limited quarterback. Like the Browns, though, they couldn’t make up any deficit, let alone 17-0 after one quarter. They have the draft resources to make a play for Deshaun Watson or Jimmy Garoppolo. I think the Eagles and Colts are two playoff-caliber teams definitely in the veteran QB market.
2. The Buccaneers were missing receivers Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown (released), running backs Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones, and their offensive line was weakened by an in-game injury to right tackle Tristan Wirfs. And they still had no problem running up a 34-0 lead. Yes, Tom Brady is the GOAT. Still, the really good quarterbacks keep the offense humming with “next man up.”
3. What would a second consecutive Super Bowl title do for Bruce Arians’ Hall of Fame credentials? Sure, the “Brady Factor” probably would work against him. But Arians won coach-of-the-year awards taking two different teams to the postseason – the Colts in 2012 and the Arizona Cardinals in 2014 – without Brady. And then to preside over a third team for two league titles is something no coach in the Hall of Fame has accomplished.
San Francisco 49ers 23, Dallas Cowboys 17
1. It’s not easy to make a case for Mike McCarthy to return as Cowboys coach. They have so much talent yet play so dumb. Owner Jerry Jones does not want to let offensive coordinator Kellen Moore leave for a head coach job. Or defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, for that matter. McCarthy might go back to his customized barn in Wisconsin for further reinvention.
2. So the 49ers in the Kyle Shanahan era improved to 34-15 with Garoppolo at quarterback. They’re 8-28 with C.J. Beathard (2-10), Brian Hoyer (0-6), Nick Mullens (5-11), and Trey Lance (1-1) at QB. They have to trade Garoppolo because they gave up three first-round picks – in 2021, 2022 and 2023 – to move up nine spots to select Lance No. 3 overall in May. The price tag for Garoppolo? The Eagles got first- and third-round picks from the Colts over two seasons for Carson Wentz. I’d guess the 49ers would try for more.
3. If Deebo Samuel played for the Cowboys, Rams or Giants, he’d be in the Hall of Fame by now because of the press he’d receive. What a talent.
Kansas City Chiefs 42, Pittsburgh Steelers 21
1. Ben Roethlisberger’s final game won’t be on his Hall of Fame highlight reel. But playing 18 years without a losing season is quite an epitaph.
2. I’m surprised more teams don’t copy Kansas City’s offensive creativity near the goal line. And those that do seem to botch such easy-looking plays.
3. Mike Tomlin now has the longest postseason win drought among AFC North head coaches. Since the 2016 postseason, Tomlin’s Steelers have lost four in a row in the AFC playoffs -- 36-17 to the Patriots, 45-42 to the Jaguars, 48-37 to the Browns and 42-21 to the Chiefs.
