1+ hour, 22+ min ago (1035+ words) CLEVELAND " The story Sunday was the story of the season. The Browns had chances but blew them and the special teams cost them dearly. That's why the Browns lost to the 49ers 26-8 on Sunday at cold and windy Huntington Bank Field in Shedeur Sanders' first home start. And why they aren't a threat to make the playoffs despite an awful year across the AFC North. The Browns fell to 3-9 and will finish with a losing record for the second straight year and fourth time in six seasons under coach Kevin Stefanski. The other two years they made the playoffs and he was voted NFL Coach of the Year. Sanders failed to become the first Browns quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win the first two starts of his career but played well enough to warrant a third straight start. He…...

2+ week, 5+ day ago (1287+ words) The sting of the 27-20 loss to the Jets hadn't faded a day later. The Browns lost another game they felt they should've won, this one because of disastrous special teams play and ill-timed penalties. Any dream of making a second-half run took a direct hit to the solar plexus. Analysis: Four takeaways from another ridiculous Browns loss Dropping to 2-7 is bad enough. Having it happen against a one-win Jets team that had just traded its two best defensive players and got only 54 yards passing had to feel soul-crushing for Myles Garrett, Joel Bitonio and Co. Coach Kevin Stefanski had a lot to answer for as speculation swirled about his long-term job security. He addressed five of the hot-button issues Monday as the fallout continued. Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone was the No. 1 target of criticism following the back-to-back kickoff and…...

3+ week, 3+ day ago (819+ words) The goal in every game since the Deshaun Watson trade is the Browns trying to overcome the mistake. Forget about all the other stuff. Nothing else matters or can even be taken seriously until the NFL's flakiest franchise is Watson-free. Only then will this team be able to resume its legacy. The rest is not just superfluous. It's super-superfluous. Just look at the NFL standings, the diminishing crowds at Dawg Pound Acres, and yet another one of Kevin Stefanski's yearly "I am going to let somebody else call the plays now," Gettysburg Address. Meanwhile, another season of ineptitude is tumbling by, with nary a hint of hope for a fan base that deserves more, much more, than this from one of the NFL's sorriest franchises. Think of it as ownership's version of the priceless John Candy/Steve Martin flick "Trains,…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago (380+ words) BEREA " David Njoku didn't hide his emotions " or mince words " about not being traded Tuesday at the deadline. "I'm happy as hell, bro," the tight end said Wednesday. "I'm happy. It's because I'm here. For real. Serious." Browns send DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to Bears in only move before trade deadline Njoku was drafted No. 29 in 2017 and will complete his ninth season with the Browns. He's in the last year of his contract and the Browns are 2-6, so his name was mentioned often as a potential candidate to be traded. He was worried he'd be shipped out of town. "Of course, I was terrified," he said. "Of course, it's always a possibility. This is the NFL, man, you know what I mean? Kevin Stefanski turns over play calling to coordinator Tommy Rees He said he didn't have any assurances that he…...

3+ week, 1+ day ago (1158+ words) (Three points of interest in Sunday's game) The Browns haven't won a road game since Week 2 " of last season. They beat the Jaguars 18-13 on Sept. 15, 2024, with Deshaun Watson at quarterback and Alex Wright getting a late sack for a safety. They've lost 12 straight away from home since, not counting the loss to the Vikings in London in what was technically a home game. "I didn't know how far it kind of went back and we haven't won that many games anyway the last two years," guard Joel Bitonio said, referring to the 5-20 record since the start of 2024. "It's really just a focus on us. We want to close ranks and just be like, what can we do to control what the Browns are doing?" Myles Garrett returns rested, refocused, "on board' with Browns after venting frustration in loss before bye…...

2+ week, 6+ day ago (948+ words) How did the Browns lose this one? The easiest answer is because they're the Browns and do whatever it takes to turn a should-be win into a regrettable loss. This time it was 27-20 to the Jets on Sunday in New Jersey. The Jets finished with 54 passing yards. The Browns offense scored 20 points. It didn't have a turnover. The Browns still got beat by a Jets team that entered 1-7, traded its two best defensive players Tuesday and can't wait to replace starting quarterback Justin Fields. Mailbag: What does Paul DePodesta's departure mean for Andrew Berry? One thing the Browns can beat is the odds. Since 1950, teams had been 225-0 when holding opponents to 175 or fewer yards " the Jets had 169 " and not committing a turnover, per ESPN research. The impossible became reality with back-to-back kickoff and punt returns for touchdowns by the Jets,…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (1132+ words) CLEVELAND " Shedeur Sanders believed until the bitter end. The rookie quarterback entered to start the second half Sunday when starter Dillon Gabriel was evaluated for a concussion and then ruled out. Sanders had never taken a snap in a regular-season game or worked with the first-team offense in practice. His first five possessions totaled 4 net yards, ending in four punts and an interception. Yet he was convinced he'd lead the team into the end zone to force overtime, or win with a 2-point conversion. The Browns reached the Baltimore 25-yard line on the final drive in the two-minute drill, but three incompletions ended their hopes. Ravens 23, Browns 16. "I know I'm made for it. I don't think it was a doubt in my mind that that final drive'was going to go down there and score," said Sanders, who said he was…...

2+ week, 3+ day ago (1041+ words) BEREA " Tommy Rees had the same reaction as many fans after Dillon Gabriel was sacked on fourth-and-1 against the Jets. "I should have run the ball," Rees said Thursday. The Browns offense had positives in Rees" first game since taking over as play caller from coach Kevin Stefanski. It reached 20 points for the second time this season, receiver Jerry Jeudy had his best game of the year (six catches, 78 yards, touchdown) and the 23 first downs were a season high. Dawand Jones took latest season-ending injury hard but is trying to stay positive It wasn"t good enough to overcome two kick return touchdowns by the Jets, and the Browns couldn"t afford to waste the fourth-quarter scoring opportunity that ended with the Gabriel sack. The Browns, who fell to 2-7, trailed 24-17 with 10 minutes left and had the ball at the Jets…...

2+ week, 6+ day ago (344+ words) Coach Kevin Stefanski expressed confidence and trust in special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone after the Browns allowed back-to-back kickoff and punt returns for touchdowns Sunday in a 27-20 loss to the Jets. "Listen, I have a ton of faith in Bubba, I have a ton of faith in our special teams," Stefanski said Monday. "We have to be better. That's the case. There are ways that we can try to be better, but it's definitely we'll continue to coach our guys hard. We'll continue to give them the techniques to use, but I trust our guys, I trust that we'll get back to work." Analysis: Four takeaways from another ridiculous Browns loss Ventrone is a respected coach and former player, including from 2009-12 with the Browns. The Browns pounced when he became available following the 2022 season after the Colts changed staffs. Stefanski…...

2+ week, 4+ day ago (273+ words) BEREA " Bernie Kosar asked his legion of fans for their love, support and prayers Wednesday as he lay in a hospital bed. The legendary Browns quarterback posted a video on social media with an update on his condition as he awaits a liver transplant. "Grateful for all the thoughts and prayers," he wrote. "I am in the hospital getting some care and keeping that fighter's spirit strong." Kosar, 61, announced in July 2024 he had been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and Parkinson's disease. He's lost a lot of weight but attended training camp over the summer and did broadcast work for the team. In the video he said he was expecting to get the transplant over the weekend but the donor organ was infected. He added his bleeding started again and he had "two aggressive procedures" Tuesday to stop it…...