This will not be the Browns' defensive team opposing C.J. Stroud & Co. in Houston for the wild card game next weekend. (Cleveland Browns)
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
CINCINNATI, OH
Nothing that happened in the Browns’ sacrificial 31-14 loss to the Bengals detracted from what lies ahead.
They played mostly backups against Cincinnati’s mostly starters and got out of town without a serious injury to a major player. In fact, they should be healthier than they’ve been in a month as attention turns to the second season.
“Playoff time … playoff time,” bellowed defensive end Za’Darius Smith as players exited the locker room in a collective good mood.
They’re going back to Houston – site of a non-competitive, 36-22 victory over the Texans on Christmas Eve – for their AFC wild-card game. They will kick off Super Wild Card Weekend at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
That was a different Texans team than the one that eked out the AFC South division title with a 10-7 record after a 23-19 win in Indianapolis on Saturday night and a 28-20 Jacksonville loss to Tennessee on Sunday. The Jaguars loss also put the Steelers in the playoff field.
On Christmas Eve, Houston didn’t have rookie quarterback sensation C.J. Stroud available or rookie pass rusher Will Anderson or their leading tackler Blake Cashman, and they lost their best pass rusher, Jonathan Greenard, and safety Jimmie Ward early in the game.
Most are expected back for the wild-card meeting, most importantly Stroud, who is no Case Keenum. Stroud connected with receiver Nico Collins for nine completions and 195 yards in the must-win over the Colts.
“It doesn’t really matter to me [who we play],” said tight end David Njoku.
“I don’t mind who I line up against,” said cornerback Martin Emerson. “We’re jelling. We’re all together. Everything’s in line. It’s the second season. We got to do what we were planning on doing since the beginning of camp.”
They were among the starters who watched in uniform from the sideline as the Browns emptied the bench from the onset to stay healthy and allow beaten-down starters to recover from a stretch of 12 games in 12 weeks without a bye.
It cost them a chance at a franchise-record 12th win. Nobody believes a loss after four wins in a row will slow their momentum into the playoffs, however.
“I think we were sharp in practice this week when the [regulars] were out there,” guard Joel Bitonio said. “I think we’re gonna have a big week of practice. I think awareness is heightened. The guys are focused on the task at hand. For us, it was about getting guys as close to 100 percent as you can at this point of a season.”
Said coach Kevin Stefanski, “I think when you look at these games [after the playoffs are clinched], what’s important is doing what’s best for your football team. We knew what this game was.”
The only injuries reported were to receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion), defensive tackle Shelby Harris (shin) and running back Pierre Strong (lower back).
Stefanski not only started his fifth quarterback of the season – newly-arrived Jeff Driskel – he surrounded him with a makeshift offensive line featuring backups Michael Dunn, Nick Harris and Luke Wypler at the interior. He also substituted rarely-used Leroy Watson at left tackle for some play time.
Driskel didn’t have much of a chance after his first pass of the day was intercepted. The Browns had zero net yards by the time the Bengals rang up 21 points with their No. 1 offense helping running back Joe Mixon achieve a $100,000 contract incentive by scoring two touchdowns.
Driskel added another interception before connecting with receiver David Bell for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter after Bengals coach Zac Taylor pulled his defensive starters.
“It was tough sledding early but it was good to see those guys and myself battle back and put some good things on tape,” said Driskel (13 of 26 for 166 yards and a 63.9 passer rating).
If this were an audition for Driskel to be Joe Flacco’s primary backup in Houston, it’s unclear whether he passed. Stefanski said, “We’ll handle that next week.
“All things considered, I think [Driskel] operated well.”
Besides the regular offensive tackles, receiver Elijah Moore did appear on the field for the first snap. Making his first appearance since a concussion on December 28, Moore played only a few snaps and was not targeted.
On defense, tackle Jordan Elliott and safeties D’Anthony Bell and Ronnie Hickman, who only recently started any games because of injuries, were on the field at the beginning. Bell had a nice interception of Jake Browning. Otherwise, it was all backups. Alex Wright, Isaiah McGuire and Duran Harmon had sacks.
The Browns were heartened by the return of pass rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo and now expect him to play a bigger role in the playoffs. (Cleveland Browns)
The game also marked the return of defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo, who had not played since suffering a torn pectoral muscle in the Jacksonville game on December 10. Okoronkwo got in a handful of snaps in pass rush situations, setting himself up for more regular time in the wild-card game in Houston against his former team.
“It felt good. I didn’t feel limited and it’s going to continue to get better,” Okoronkwo said.
“I’m super excited to play in front of my family [in Houston]. I missed the first time. I’m going home. Let’s get it. Let’s get a win in my city.”
The loss left the Browns with an 11-6 record. Cincinnati finished at 9-8, good for only fourth place in the first division since 1935 to have every team end the season above .500.
In the end, the AFC North was what we all thought it was – the best division by far in the NFL – with Baltimore, Cleveland and Pittsburgh earning playoff berths.
