Instant Insights: Browns end season with 33-23 loss to Bengals

PREGAME PONDERINGS

Gilbert: The result of this game does not matter. Nothing should be based on the outcome of this game. The real game will come afterward within the structure of the Browns organization. Change is coming. How much will be the question.

FIRST HALF

Gilbert: Well, that is something. Ratley makes his biggest play of his career, catching a bomb from Baker. Nice throw and nice separation by Ratley. Good start for the offense, but the question always is whether they can sustain this level throughout the game.

Suek: Where the heck has that been all season?! Two half back tosses two Nick Chubb and then a 46-yard touchdown pass to Ratley. I have missed the Baker Mayfield deep ball from 2018, wherein he was second best in the league to Drew Brees. A fantastic, quick-hitting drive that will hopefully set the tone for the game.

Gilbert: This Browns defense is a shell of what it was at the beginning of the season. There is no sign of pass rush and the run defense is terrible.

Suek: There’s the Browns rush defense we know and love. You know…the one that has allowed the most rushing yards per attempt in team history (5.04). Bengals running back Joe Mixon is having no trouble dodging tackles and accelerating down the field.

Suek: A wide open tight end vs. this Browns defense for a touchdown? You don’t say. Pretty much 7-on-7 being played between these two squads right now.

Gilbert: This opening touchdown drive was way too easy for a Dalton-led Bengals offense.

Suek: Three plays, three passes for the Browns offense on the second drive of the game. It’s not like the team has the league’s leading rusher or anything.

Gilbert: This second drive of the game sums up Freddie Kitchens as a play-caller this season. First play easily sniffed out by the defense. A three-and-out with no use of the run game and Nick Chubb. Passing routes where they all go to the same side of the field, leaving Baker with no one throw to when he has to scramble the other direction. Fun.

Gilbert: Mixon may run for 200+ yards today.

Suek: What Gilbert said.

Gilbert: The Browns have to lead the league in receiver-created interceptions. So, many wrong routes, tipped passes or receivers falling down that have turned into interceptions for Baker.

Suek: Just another bad luck interception for Mayfield, as Landry fell down on his route.

Gilbert: Mixon must love seeing the Browns on the schedule.

Gilbert:

Browns had 10 guys on the field for Bengals third-and-goal TD run (proof via @NextGenStats) pic.twitter.com/h3a8WzVsry

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) December 29, 2019

Gilbert: That first quarter was bad, to say the least. Not much effort being shown by the Browns.

Suek: I am really having a great time watching this game. You can see the passion and heart of this team really coming to light…not. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Browns go down 20-7 after this Bengals drive.

Gilbert: Everything is so easy for the Bengals offense. The Browns defense has no energy. They look like zombies.

Gilbert: And, Andy Dalton just scored a rushing TD. Time to go home.

Suek: The fat lady just sang. Browns are now down 20-7 vs. a 1-14 Bengals team. I wonder what type of luggage Freddie has?

Suek: Baker with a fantastic audible that resulted in a 36-yard completion to Odell Beckham, Jr. on the go route. Beckham, Jr. now needs only ten more receiving yards to reach 1,000 for the season. Beckham, Jr. and Jarvis Landry would become the first 1,000 yard wide receiver duo in team history.

Gilbert: Oh hey, the Browns couldn’t get 7 points when they got inside the redzone. Did not see that coming.

Gilbert: THE BROWNS GOT A STOP ON DEFENSE.

Suek: Browns have a chance to cut the game to one score after a stop(!) by the defense. I am guessing Freddie will go for the old “two scores before halftime” thinking on offense. What’s the worst that could happen?

Suek: THERE’S THE DEEP BALL AGAIN! What a great toss by Mayfield to Landry for the 56-yard touchdown.

Gilbert: Baker has been on point with his long ball today. Landry continuing his great season.

Suek:

#Browns It only took until Week 17, but we are finally seeing the deep ball from QB Baker Mayfield, who had the highest deep ball accuracy (53.7%) in the league from Weeks 9-17 of the 2018 season (PFF).

— Cody Suek (@WFNYCody) December 29, 2019

HALFTIME HINDSIGHTS

Gilbert: One more half of the season and likely Freddie Kitchens’ Browns head coaching career. If this game truly was a deciding factor in Kitchens’ fate, then he should probably start packing. Besides two touchdown bombs by Baker, the Bengals controlled the game. Not a great showing for the Browns defense, especially.

Suek: Agreed with Gilbert here. Not that any coaching decision should hinge on today’s game, but if that is laughably the case, then Freddie Kitchens should be relieved of his duties this evening with the official coaching search commencing immediately.

SECOND HALF

Gilbert: The Browns defense got lucky on the second half opening drive. A couple of Bengals’ mistakes derailed what looked to be a touchdown drive. The Bengals ended up just getting 3 to make it a 7 point deficit for the Browns.

Gilbert: Baker tried to do an arm punt, but forgot to tell his coverage team that he was doing that.

Suek: Browns defense comes through with a turnover of their own, as Denzel Ward gets his second interception of the season off of a deep ball by Andy Dalton.

Gilbert: We having an arm strength contest between Dalton and Mayfield. Who can throw it the furthest no matter who it is going to. I think Baker won.

Gilbert: And, the Browns are now down two touchdowns to the freakin Bengals at the beginning of the fourth quarter. What a way to (not) show up in the final week of the season.

Suek: Just a friendly reminder that the Bengals have won one game this season. ONE.

Gilbert: There is always something interesting going on the Browns’ sidelines.

Gilbert: Baker shows that he is not giving up. Runs for a first down, breaking tackles and running through defenders to end the run.

Gilbert: OBJ saves the day after the O-line forces a long 4th-and-goal situation. OBJ makes a great leaping catch to bring the game within a one-score game. Now, please find a coach who can better utilize OBJ’s crazy talent next season.

Suek: Baker Mayfield is all heart. The young gunslinger is showing no quit in today’s game.

Gilbert: And, the Bengals put it away with a field goal after the Browns defense could not slow down the Bengals offense enough to force a punt.

POSTGAME POSTURINGS

Suek: A disappointing finish to a disappointing season. I look forward to what 2020 could possibly bring to this franchise. One thing is for certain: the next 24 hours should be interesting.

Gilbert: A fitting end to a season of so many expectations that went by the wayside. The loss to the Bengals all but seals Freddie Kitchens’ fate (you would think). We are now entering another offseason of change.