The Browns' Bad Day in Denver

It wasn't a must-win game for the Browns on Sunday in Denver, but the reverberations of this one could be felt for the rest of the year.  Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was actually having a pretty good game, ended up getting knocked out with a concussion and bleeding lip, thanks to a questionable hit by Denver Broncos' Baron Browning. It was a clear case of a player launching off his feet through contact, and while Broncos fans might cry foul over the call, I'm not buying it. That hit was dangerous, and Browning might just find himself lighter in the wallet because of it.To make things worse, Myles Garrett was banged up and according to Browns beat reporters was in a sling, and talked about feeling a pop in his shoulder. Amari Cooper was also removed from the game after taking a shot to the mid-section. It was a tough day from an injury standpoint for the Browns, who have had more than their fair share of bad injury days this season already.Now, let's talk about Kevin Stefanski. This game was not his finest hour. I get that passing is key in the NFL, but the Browns hardly gave their running game a chance. Over 40 pass attempts, including 13 from P.J. Walker, who stepped in for DTR? That's just overdoing it.I understand the desperation, down by two scores. But relying solely on Walker's arm felt like pulling your goalie in hockey when you're behind - a desperate move that doesn't always pay off. Instead of endlessly hurling the ball downfield, Stefanski should've balanced it out with some runs. It might not have changed the outcome, but at least it would've been a more strategic approach.Jerome Ford ended the game with a 7.2-yard average on nine carries. Obviously, if you run him more, that average might fall, and you will presumably have a tougher time coming back from the deficit, but is that really true? Throwing the ball with a fumbleicious P.J. Walker isn't exactly boosting your chances of winning, is it?But let's not get carried away. It's just one bad game in an otherwise solid season for Stefanski. I've been one of his biggest supporters and defenders, and I still believe he deserves a contract extension. He's been a good fit for the Browns since 2020, and giving him that vote of confidence now could be a smart move, especially considering the team's history of impulsive decisions. I know some Browns fans will roll their eyes at me for talking extension, but I'm firmly in the camp that thinks as long as you have a real live professional coach, continuity is king.Despite the disappointment in Denver, I'm not too down about the Browns' prospects. DTR showed promise before his exit, and Jerome Ford had a solid day on the ground. Sure, the team had its share of blunders, like Amari Cooper's end-zone drop on a two-point conversion. Some days just aren't yours. And this Sunday was one of those days for the Browns.If the Browns can somehow get some injury luck with Amari Cooper, Myles Garrett and DTR, the Browns can put up a great fight against the Rams this week. If not, it will be another tough Sunday before the team heads home to face the Jags and Bears in back-to-back weeks.Finally, if DTR can't go, it might be Joe Flacco under center for the Browns. Now, I don't want to make any dumb predictions, but considering the Browns' woeful shape at quarterback due to injuries, it's at least remotely possible that Flacco is the best possible option other than a healthy Deshaun Watson. I didn't say it was likely. I just said it was possible.