ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky didn’t mince his words after the Cleveland Browns’ 37-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6.
“(The Browns are the) most disappointing team in football,” Orlovsky said. “They’re a 6-0 roster and they’re a 3-3 football team.”
During Monday morning’s edition of ESPN’s “Get Up,” Orlovsky mentioned how the Browns should have had a home-field advantage playing Sunday’s game at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.
Orlovsky also mentioned how positive COVID-19 tests forced the Cardinals to play without head coach Kliff Kingsbury star edge rusher Chandler Jones.
Plus, a rib injury prevented Cardinals center Rodney Hudson from playing too.
“I get it that (there are) injuries on your football team,” Orlovsky said. “They got to go to you.
“They’re without their head coach. They got a guy called in place that I to my knowledge has never called plays in the NFL. They’re missing their best defensive player and they score on third and 21 to start the football game. Come on, defense. Then they score on third and goal from the 13-yard line on a screen pass that (DeAndre Hopkins) just makes guys miss. (There were) way too many blown mistakes.”
I love the Browns
I love Stefanski
I love BakerI’ve had their back and will continue to do so—but— https://t.co/Ksn1LMRD5d
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) October 18, 2021
Orlovsky was critical of the Browns defense, especially after signing several free-agent defensive players and spending draft capital to try to make improvements.
The Browns are allowing 25.2 points per game, which ranks 22nd in the NFL as of Monday afternoon.
Specifically, Orlovsky mentioned the 33 points the Kansas City Chiefs scored in Week 1, the 47 points the Los Angeles Chargers scored in Week 5 and the 37 points the Cardinals scored in Week 6.
The Browns lost each of those three games.
“I mean this is a football team that should be much better,” Orlovsky said. “And Baker Mayfield, I love. I’ve had his back. I still have his back.
“You did the one thing you couldn’t do in that game. Turn the football over in your area twice to start that game. This is the most disappointing team in football right now, one-third (of the way) through this season.”
Hopsational pic.twitter.com/52sTHl6XAs
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) October 18, 2021
The Browns will look to regroup on Thursday night when they host the Denver Broncos, who are also 3-3.
While Cleveland is a 3.5-point favorite, the Browns have several injuries mounting.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday running back Kareem Hunt and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will miss the next several weeks.
Hunt got carted off Sunday with a calf injury and Owusu-Koramoah has a high-ankle sprain.
#Browns coach Kevin Stefanski describes RB Kareem Hunt’s calf injury as significant and confirms he’ll miss weeks. He says LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is out weeks, too, with what I’m told is a high-ankle sprain. Those are generally 4-6 weeks.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 18, 2021
Plus, the Browns played in Sunday’s game without running back Nick Chubb (calf), left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. (ankle), right tackle Jack Conklin (knee) and wide receiver Jarvis Landry (knee).
Quarterback Baker Mayfield has played through a torn labrum in his left shoulder since Week 2.
Mayfield is awaiting a second opinion on MRI results before Stefanski can determine whether to start him on Thursday or if the Browns will turn to backup quarterback Case Keenum.
NEXT: Browns List 20 Players On Monday Injury Report
I have to say I agree with Dan. No worries though, as a long time Browns fan I have become accustomed to disappointment.
Yup. Me too. Same old browns heartbreakers
The Browns curse, even when we look great on paper, we find a way to “screw the pooch”…hence, another reason why we are “The Dawgs”.
Baker needs a real house instead of living at first energy stadium. That will help I think