2014 Cleveland Browns

[CosmoKramer]

Of course the year we are playing well and are 5-3, we are the only division where every team has a winning record.

I kind of like it though, makes this Thursday's game freakin' huge.

That's probably not a coincidence. The AFC North's divisional matchups are the AFC South and the NFC South this year, easily the two worst divisions in football.

 

[MoFlo]

Didn't have a problem at all with the halftime call.

The odds of picking up the first down are slim, much better chance of moving into field goal territory and taking the three.

Well, if he knows this team, he knows the big plays they're capable of & that they can pick up big yardage in any situation.. Hell, just the game before, almost all of Hoyer's connections went for big yardage..

But even ignoring that, best case, you pick up the 1st down & still have plenty of time to try to get in the end zone. Worst case, you throw an incompletion & have to punt while in Tampa territory and take over possession deep in their own territory with 40 seconds or so left.

 

[bob2the2nd]

the problem was that he didnt use the TO after they got the first down. why in the world he didnt decide to take a shot at the endzone is just beyond me.

I get running the clock down, i do. i dont get not going for a touchdown.

 

[AZ_]

Well, if he knows this team, he knows the big plays they're capable of & that they can pick up big yardage in any situation.. Hell, just the game before, almost all of Hoyer's connections went for big yardage..

But even ignoring that, best case, you pick up the 1st down & still have plenty of time to try to get in the end zone. Worst case, you throw an incompletion & have to punt while in Tampa territory and take over possession deep in their own territory with 40 seconds or so left.

"Big play" offense isn't exactly how I would describe this team...

I think the most likely scenario there was a long field goal with the punt not being an option. Instead a broken tackle led to the first down, and they were still roughly 25-30 yards away from the endzone.

 

[DJTJ]

"Big play" offense isn't exactly how I would describe this team...

I think the most likely scenario there was a long field goal with the punt not being an option. Instead a broken tackle led to the first down, and they were still roughly 25-30 yards away from the endzone.

Agreed. If you snap with 50, and get the same result, Tampa burns their time out with like 40-45 seconds left. Missed field goal, and like 20-25 yards puts them in field goal range.

That's intelligent football.

 

[Ocelot]

(0:54) (Shotgun) B.Hoyer sacked at TB 41 for -7 yards (G.McCoy).

An incomplete pass on third down would have the Browns looking at a ~58 yard FG attempt with somewhere between 45-50 seconds left on the clock and TB still holding a timeout. Attempting the FG and a miss or a block gives TB a strong probability to get some more points on the board before the half.

By running the clock down they were able to try to pick up yards for a better field goal attempt and use the last timeout to set up the kick. It seemed like the first down pickup was just a nice bonus. When they made the decision they were looking at a low-probability of converting the third down, which isn't necessarily not having confidence in your offense, no OC is going to be happy about having to find a play to cover 14 yards.

By playing for the field goal and having the timeout available they were able to select from a much larger variety of plays. If they don't run down the clock they are likely looking at a very different defensive call as well. They made a decision to increase their likelihood of getting points and removed the possibility of TB getting another possession before the half.

Extremely unsatisfying to watch, but the logic was sound

 

[The Oi]

Plus they won by just over a field goal!!!

 

[EdMonix11]

Well, if he knows this team, he knows the big plays they're capable of & that they can pick up big yardage in any situation.. Hell, just the game before, almost all of Hoyer's connections went for big yardage..

But even ignoring that, best case, you pick up the 1st down & still have plenty of time to try to get in the end zone. Worst case, you throw an incompletion & have to punt while in Tampa territory and take over possession deep in their own territory with 40 seconds or so left.

Blind faith isn't really a sound strategy in a one score game at halftime, IMO.

Pettine wanted points. They were kicking the long FG if they didn't get a first down. Pettine didn't want the Bucs to get the ball with time and a short field to push their lead to 7 on a missed FG.

 

[bob2the2nd]

so we are going to continue to ignore the fact that they still had time to take a time out after the first down?

anyone?? the browns had a chance to go for a touchdown, instead they let the clock tick. it made sense on 3rd and long to let to clock continue to run, it made absolutely no sense to let it run once they got a first down.

 

[Ohdang]

Does anyone know if this Thursday's game will be broadcast locally? CBS? TVguide.com isn't listing it as being on but I thought they had to broadcast NFL Network games locally in the teams home market. Google search turned up an article saying it will be on locally in Cincinnati, but nothing about Cleveland.

 

[Phills14]

I'm not sure if the local channels will pick it up but the National CBS Thursday night coverage is over. Nationally the game is only on NFL Network.

 

[Ohdang]

If anyone else was curious, its being aired on CBS 19 in Cleveland.

 

[Soar]

Great game tonight:

We get some extended rest and have a winnable home game against Houston. Hopefully Cameron, Taylor, and Hawkins can get healthy.

If we can win that game we will be 7-3 with Josh Gordon set to return the following week.

Gordon
Hawkins
Austin
Gabriel
Benjamin
Cameron

Suddenly the receiving corp doesn't look so bad.

Tough not to be excited. Hope we can keep it up.

 

[Kbiz]

Still not sold on our offensive line. We looked good running against one of the worst teams against the rush in the NFL.

Our D is finally molding into shape but i think our future success still hinges on this O-line. Great win regardless but there is still a lot of work to do.

 

[bob2the2nd]

ladies and gentlemen. heading into week 10 the cleveland browns will be at the worst tied for the best record in the AFC north

welcome to 6-3