It was a hard day to be a Cleveland Browns fan.
There is no way to sugarcoat how bad things went in the Week 6 loss to the New England Patriots.
The 2-4 Browns disappointed in all facets of the game, and fans had plenty of reactions.
Here are the most noteworthy.
1. Bill Belichick Prevails
It is ironic that Belichick tied George Halas as the second-winningest coach of all time with a win over the team that fired him.
Dustin Gruss made the following accurate observation:
“Modell may have fired him, but Belichick has owned the #Browns ever since.”
Modell may have fired him, but Belichick has owned the #browns ever since.
— Dustin Gruss (@familybyheart) October 16, 2022
Though the game was close early on, Belichick eventually outschemed the Browns and anticipated their tendencies on both defense and offense.
So it looks like #Belichick figured out the @Browns defense at #halftime.
— Skelly Films (@Skelly_Films) October 16, 2022
Oh, looks like #Belichick has figured out the @Browns offense too. @923TheFan
— Skelly Films (@Skelly_Films) October 16, 2022
Meanwhile, he kept the Browns hanging on who the Patriots starting quarterback would be.
He had QB1 Mac Jones travel with the team only to watch rookie QB3 Bailey Zappe dominate the Browns.
#Belichick had #MacJones travel today to watch #BaileyZappe ball out. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/pOCiSPxZrF
— Pundit Review (@PunditReview) October 16, 2022
Joe Woods did not stand a chance against Belichick’s defensive wits.
Belichick and two rookies have shredded Joe Woods’ Kindergarten zone defense for 83 points last two years #Browns #firejoewoods
— Jerry Stewart (@JStewMonterey) October 16, 2022
2. The Browns Coaches Were Roasted
Kevin Stefanski’s decision-making continues to come under scrutiny by fans.
It has gotten to the point that fans are comparing Stefanski with former Browns coaches.
Freddie Kitchens’ name came up on social media after today’s game.
To those who has been scoffing at every #Browns fan who has dared to criticize Kevin Stefanski, here's a serious question:
What part about the #Browns coaching this season looks better than the Freddie Kitchens team of 2019?
— Roberto Shenanigans (@Rob_Shenanigans) October 16, 2022
Stefanski has also come under fire for saying the same things after each loss, yet no material changes happen on the field the following week.
Broken record. #Browns https://t.co/coo8hIuCmu
— Jeromy Hoar (@BamBiffSplat) October 16, 2022
This week…I have no interest in Stefanski’s “we gotta be better…I have to be better.” Speech. Not this week bruh #Browns
— Earl Da Pearl (@EarldaPearl216) October 16, 2022
"wE'rE gOiNg To LeArN. i NeEd To Be BeTtEr" you gave the best RB in the NFL 12 carries the entire game. Start there and then fire your DC. #Browns
— DarmanORC (@DarmanORC) October 16, 2022
Stefanski is being criticized for his playcalling and decision-making.
Some of that centers around his decision to put Nick Chubb on the sidelines and abandon the run game.
To be fair, the run game was not working, and the Browns got behind, but putting Chubb on the sidelines is an advertisement to Belichick that the run game is ostensibly closed for the day.
Perhaps the Browns have reached rock bottom with today’s performance, and something good will emerge from this.
Why don’t they give Dobbs a chance ?
A smart coach would gamble on Dobbs at QB it’s clear to everyone how limited Brissett skills are Dobbs has dynamic athletic skills that could be used to amp things up by an competent HC…..hummmmm ? never mind.
Kevin Stufanski is pathetically unqualified as an offensive coordinator
He is obviously predictable : 1st down: run : and shows no tendency whatsoever to use deception or imagination.
He couldnt get a job anywhere else as OC.
He does the same things over and over: certainly no match for Belichick
The biggest question is why does management continue support him
This team looks lethargic, impotent and the the defense are a gorup of creampuffs
Fire Joe woods and hire a real OC
This year Stefanski play calling has become predictable and much worse the deep throws are laughable a steady diet of quick short passes to include the RB’s ( wow what a concept ) and Njoku would make a great deal of sense so he won’t do it let’s keep doing the insane stuff .
Sure we score a good amount of points but with this God awful dead defense we need more we are far from hitting on all cylinders .
Average quarterback (at best), arguably the best running back in the league with just 12 carries and there you have it. But add in 4 turnovers, three by the quarterback alone which resulted in 24 points for the Patriots along with unsuccessful two-point conversions, muffed punts, porous defense and poor play calling and what do you have? Same ole Browns, that’s what. I don’t care if the ground game was not effective early on, you keep pounding the ball when you have the best running game in the league until you find a rhythm. Aborting half of your offense and leaving it in the hands of an average quarterback against a Bill Belichick led team is never and will never get the job done. Stick with your best option on offense…. The Run. Twelve carries is just not enough to establish and create a tone and once you pull the plug on that leaving the offense completely in the hands of a subpar quarterback, you are going to be toast every time. Like I said, same old browns.